Segmented Robot Assembly for In-Wall Drilling and Conduit Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack the capability to efficiently drill through structural members and run flexible conduits within walls without requiring access holes, making it difficult to perform old work electrical installations.
Innovation Solution
A robot equipped with a linear and rotational actuator assembly, featuring an elongate hollow inner body and an outer body with a planar end face that can rotate and extend, allowing for drilling and conduit installation without cutting holes in the walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a robot is used to drill through structural members and run conduits within walls, then the need for access holes is minimized and installation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the requirement of integrated drilling and conduit deployment capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (drilling, conduit storage, and conduit deployment) into a single integrated robot system. The drill bit and conduit are integrated within the same robotic structure, allowing the robot to perform both drilling and conduit installation through a single access hole, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot is designed as a multi-functional device that can both drill through structural members and deploy conduits within walls. This universal capability allows a single device to replace multiple separate tools and processes, improving installation efficiency by eliminating the need for separate drilling and conduit installation operations.
2Ease of operation
If traditional methods are used for old work electrical installations, then access holes must be cut in the walls which increases invasiveness and complexity, but simpler equipment can be used without advanced actuator assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary drilling action through a small access hole before conduit deployment. The drill bit creates the necessary pathway in advance, allowing the conduit to be smoothly inserted afterward. This preliminary drilling action simplifies the overall installation process by preparing the wall structure beforehand, reducing the need for larger access holes and minimizing wall invasiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes a first link having a first longitudinal axis operatively coupled to a second link having a second longitudinal axis such that rotation of the first link relative to the second link alternatively performs the following effects: elongation of the first link; pivoting of the first longitudinal axis relative to the second longitudinal axis; and rotation of the first longitudinal axis relative to the second longitudinal axis.