Brake-Controlled Support Arm for Obstacle Avoidance in Confined Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional work support devices face challenges in effectively supporting work in confined spaces like elevator hoistways without interfering with the environment, as they often disturb the work area and struggle to avoid obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A work support device comprising an arm unit with joint parts and a brake unit, controlled by a state determination and brake control unit, which restricts actuation to prevent interference and ensure safe operation within designated spatial regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a workpiece weight is provided at an end part of an arm to balance the weight of a heavy object, then the arm can support the heavy object, but the workpiece weight disturbs the work and interferes with the work area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the counterweight function from the arm structure by providing a separate counterweight mechanism that balances the arm weight without adding physical mass to the arm itself. This allows the arm to be balanced while the work area remains clear of interfering components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary that coordinates the movement of counterweights with the arm movement. This mediator ensures that counterweight adjustment occurs smoothly and does not interfere with the work area or disturb the work being performed.
2Productivity
If the arm unit operates freely to support work, then work support capability is improved, but the arm unit cannot avoid obstacles in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors the arm unit's position and surrounding environment. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the arm movement in real-time to avoid obstacles while maintaining work support capability in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the arm unit dynamically adaptable by enabling real-time adjustment of movement parameters and operational characteristics based on detected environmental conditions. This allows the arm to navigate confined spaces and avoid obstacles while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If the arm unit is restricted to avoid obstacles, then safety is improved, but work support efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic restriction where the degree and nature of arm unit restrictions are continuously adjusted based on real-time environmental assessment. This allows maximum work support efficiency while maintaining safety, as restrictions are applied only when and where necessary rather than being static and overly conservative.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the arm unit dynamically based on environmental conditions. By adjusting parameters such as movement speed, range, and force application in response to detected obstacles or work requirements, the system maintains both safety and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
According an embodiment, a work support device includes an arm unit, a brake unit, a state determination unit, and a brake control unit. The arm unit includes a grasping part configured to grasp an object, a plurality of joint parts, and a plurality of link parts actuatably coupled through each joint part. The brake unit is provided to at least one of the joint parts to restrict actuation of the arm unit. The state determination unit determines the state of the arm unit. The brake control unit controls the brake unit to restrict actuation of the arm unit in accordance with the state of the arm unit.