A skyscraper faÇade inspection robot and a building maintenance robot and system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Performing maintenance tasks on tall buildings, especially skyscrapers, is challenging due to their size, requiring highly skilled and trained human operators, which is costly, time-consuming, and hazardous, with inconsistent maintenance schedules leading to potential damage and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A building maintenance robot equipped with a chassis, locomotion system, and multiple tools for cleaning, inspection, and repair, capable of autonomous movement and task execution, along with a computing system for data analysis and scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators are used to perform maintenance tasks on skyscrapers, then the tasks can be performed with human judgment and adaptability, but the operations become hazardous, costly, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs maintenance tasks autonomously without requiring human operators to physically access the building facade. The system includes autonomous navigation capabilities, automated inspection tools, and self-directed repair operations, eliminating the need for human personnel to work at heights and thereby removing safety hazards while maintaining consistent maintenance schedules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human operator system with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, actuators, and control algorithms. The robot uses computer vision for inspection, automated tools for repair tasks, and autonomous navigation to move across the facade, substituting human judgment and physical operations with automated systems that eliminate safety risks while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If highly skilled human operators are deployed for maintenance, then task quality can be maintained, but operational costs and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs all maintenance operations autonomously without requiring skilled human operators to be deployed. The system includes built-in inspection capabilities using sensors and cameras, automated diagnosis algorithms, and self-directed repair operations, enabling the robot to independently complete maintenance tasks with consistent quality while significantly reducing operational costs and time requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs advanced sensor arrays, high-resolution cameras, and multi-spectral imaging capabilities that exceed human detection thresholds. The system uses automated image processing algorithms, thermal imaging for detecting hidden defects, and precision actuators for repair operations, changing the parameters of detection and execution to achieve superior maintenance quality more efficiently than human operators
3Reliability
If regular maintenance is performed on building facades, then damage prevention is improved, but the complexity of accessing and servicing tall buildings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into modular functional units including independent locomotion modules, inspection modules with various sensors, repair modules with specialized tools, and navigation modules. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture, enabling regular maintenance operations without requiring complex integrated access systems
Solution Approach 2:
The robot serves as an intermediary between the maintenance operations and the building facade. It includes communication interfaces for receiving maintenance schedules and transmitting inspection data, navigation systems for autonomous positioning on the facade, and tool interfaces for performing repair operations, thereby simplifying the access and service process while improving damage prevention through consistent regular maintenance
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a building maintenance robot comprising a chassis, a locomotion system coupled to the chassis, the locomotion system configured to facilitate movement of the robot, one or more tools coupled to the chassis, the one or more tools configured to allow the robot to perform one or more maintenance tasks, a controller in electrical communication with the locomotion system and the one or more tools, the controller configured to control the locomotion system to cause movement of the robot and control the one or more tools to perform the one or more maintenance tasks.