Convertible Snake-Arm Robot for Narrow Passage and Aerial Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drones used in rescue operations may struggle to navigate through narrow passages due to their size and shape, while snake-arm robots can effectively traverse such spaces but lack aerial capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A convertible robot capable of transitioning between a snake-arm configuration for navigating narrow passages and a drone configuration for aerial access, utilizing a coupling mechanism to switch between elongated and loop-shaped arrangements, with collapsible rotors and gripping mechanisms for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a drone configuration is used for aerial access, then aerial capability is improved, but ability to navigate narrow passages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robot employs dynamic reconfiguration capability, transitioning between drone and snake-arm configurations based on operational requirements. The modular design with movable joints and attachable/detachable components enables the system to change its physical form factor, allowing aerial deployment when needed and compact snake-like formation for narrow passage navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently positioned and connected. These segmented modules can be arranged in different configurations - forming a compact drone structure for aerial operations or extending into an elongated snake-arm formation for traversing confined spaces, thereby resolving the size adaptability contradiction.
2Length of moving object
If a snake-arm configuration is used for navigating narrow passages, then ability to traverse confined spaces is improved, but aerial capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between configuration modes - maintaining snake-arm formation for flexible navigation through tight spaces, then reconfiguring into drone mode when aerial capability is required. This dynamic adaptability ensures both narrow passage traversal and flight capabilities are preserved in a single system.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot achieves multi-functionality by integrating both snake-arm and drone capabilities into a single reconfigurable platform. The universal design allows the same modular components to serve dual purposes - forming either a flexible serpentine structure for confined space exploration or an aerial vehicle for air-based deployment and access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate robots are used for different tasks, then task specialization is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying multiple specialized robots, the invention uses a single reconfigurable robot that can adapt its structure for different tasks. The modular architecture with interchangeable components enables one robot to perform multiple functions - aerial navigation, narrow passage exploration, and various rescue operations - thereby reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining task specialization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot dynamically reconfigures its structure based on the specific task requirements, transforming between drone and snake-arm modes as needed. This dynamic adaptability allows a single device to replace multiple specialized robots, simplifying the overall system while preserving the ability to perform diverse rescue and exploration functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A convertible robot including a plurality of modules connected one to another by one of a plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of modules has a first end and a second end that is adapted to allow for removable attachment to the first end. The convertible robot also includes a coupling that reversibly converts the plurality of modules between one configuration and at least one other configuration. One configuration is a snake-arm configuration in which the plurality of modules are in an elongated arrangement. Another configuration is a drone configuration in which the first and second ends of the plurality of modules are attached and in a loop-shaped arrangement.