Sealed Exchange Interface for Construction Robot Tool Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction robots are limited in their versatility due to the lack of suitable interchangeable interfaces that can withstand the harsh conditions of construction sites, including dust, dirt, moisture, and vibrations, while safely transferring high power and avoiding malfunctions like short circuits and sparks.
Innovation Solution
A detachable exchange interface with seals and a coupling surface that includes outer and inner seals to protect against environmental contaminants, along with a vibration damper and actuable fixing elements, ensuring stable and secure tool attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an interchangeable interface is equipped on construction robots to perform different construction tasks, then versatility is improved, but protection against dust, dirt, moisture, and vibrations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is divided into separate functional components: a coupling surface for tool attachment, sealing elements for environmental protection, and fixing elements for mechanical securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to resolve the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing elements are introduced as intermediary components between the interface and the harsh construction environment. These seals act as mediators that protect the electrical and mechanical connection points from dust, dirt, and moisture while allowing the interface to maintain its interchangeable functionality.
2Power
If high electrical power is transferred from the construction robot to the tool, then power consumption is improved, but risk of short circuits and sparking worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements serve as protective intermediaries that isolate the high-power electrical connection points from the conductive contaminants present in construction environments. This intermediary protection layer prevents direct contact between contaminants and electrical contacts, eliminating the pathway for short circuits and sparking while allowing full power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements create an inert or protected environment around the electrical connection points, isolating them from the harsh external construction environment. This protected zone prevents harmful interactions between electrical components and environmental contaminants, enabling safe high-power operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tools are designed to be stable during operation, then vibration resistance is improved, but ease of removal and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing elements are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the interface to transition between a locked state during operation (providing stability) and an unlocked state for tool changes (providing ease of operation). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to exhibit different mechanical properties as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanism is segmented into separate actuable elements that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the tool to be securely held during operation while enabling rapid release when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of replacement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The interface effectively seals against dust, dirt, and moisture, prevents short circuits, and reduces vibrations, allowing for safe and reliable tool exchange and operation on construction sites.
Implementation Method 1
the change interface has a plurality of seals, characterized in that the coupling surface has an outer edge and an inner edge, so that an inner surface is enclosed between the outer edge and the inner edge, wherein the coupling surface has at least one outer seal for sealing towards the outer edge, and at least one inner seal for sealing towards the inner edge
Implementation Method 2
A detachable exchange interface with seals and a coupling surface that includes outer and inner seals to protect against environmental contaminants, along with a vibration damper and actuable fixing elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention relates to an interchangeable interface (21) for the detachable mounting of a tool (24) on a construction robot (10) designed for carrying out construction work in building construction, civil engineering, and/or steel construction, wherein the interchangeable interface (21) has a coupling surface (48) for arranging and/or receiving the tool (24), and wherein the interchangeable interface (21) has a seal (60, 64). The invention further relates to a construction robot (10) and a method (1000). The invention enables the tool (24) to be securely attached to the construction robot (10).