Articulated Snake Robot for Minimally Invasive Wall Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing electrical and plumbing systems in existing structures require cutting holes in walls, which is invasive and difficult to manage.

Innovation Solution

A snake-like robot with linked segments that can rotate and translate to bore holes and run conduits through structural members without cutting holes, using a mechanism with a combination of cycloid and curvic pin connections and motors to navigate and drill.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional methods are used to install electrical and plumbing systems in existing structures, then the installation can be completed, but holes must be cut in walls which is invasive and difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall damageVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling device is divided into multiple segments or links that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the device to navigate around obstacles and reach target locations through structural members without requiring large access holes in walls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The snake-like robot introduces articulation and bending capabilities, transitioning from straight-line drilling to multi-dimensional navigation through walls and structural members, enabling access to locations that would otherwise require cutting holes in wall faces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If access holes are cut in walls to install systems, then installation is straightforward, but the process becomes invasive and requires planning to minimize access holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation processVSAvoidwall damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bringing installation equipment through large access holes in walls, the invention introduces a small introduction hole through which a snake-like robot is fed, and the robot then drills through structural members from the inside, reversing the traditional approach of accessing structural members from exterior wall surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a snake-like robot with articulated links is used to tunnel through walls, then minimally invasive installation is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall damageVSAvoidrobot structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into multiple links that can articulate relative to each other, with each link containing drilling mechanisms and articulation joints. This segmentation enables the robot to bend and reach target locations while maintaining a compact overall structure that can be introduced through small holes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The snake-like robot's articulated links are designed to nest or compact when not in use, allowing the complex multi-link structure to be stored or transported in a compact form and introduced through small introduction holes in walls before deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12502764B2Snake-like robot

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 FLX SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A snake-like robot includes a first link having a first distal end, a first proximal end, and a first longitudinal axis extending between the first distal end and the first proximal end. A second link has a second proximal end, a second distal end operatively coupled to the first proximal end, and a second longitudinal axis extending between the second proximal end and the second distal end. Rotation of the first link relative to the second link alternatively performs the following effects: elongation of the robot; 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.