Surface Crawling Robot With Passive Suction Cam Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface crawling robots face challenges in maintaining strong grip on uneven surfaces, including curved and dented surfaces, due to limitations in suction mechanisms, which require external power for active suction or are weak in grip without additional power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous surface crawling robot with a dual flexible cam profile assembly and closed loop mechanical structure that generates suction force using battery-powered motors, enabling consistent grip on flat, inclined, curved, and uneven surfaces without external power for suction generation, utilizing a piston-cylinder assembly with a cam profile and guide rail to create and release vacuum for mechanical actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If active suction system (vacuum pump or centrifugal fan) is used to create adhesion, then grip strength is improved, but energy consumption increases and requires wired operation
Solution Approach 1:
The robot's own motion serves to create the suction force. The passive suction mechanism utilizes the relative motion between the robot body and the surface to generate vacuum pressure, eliminating the need for dedicated suction motors or external power sources for adhesion maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the active mechanical suction system (vacuum pump/fan) with a passive mechanical system that relies on motion-induced pressure differential. The suction is generated through the mechanical interaction of the robot's movement with the surface rather than through active pumping mechanisms
2Use of energy by moving object
If passive suction is used without dedicated system, then energy consumption is reduced, but grip strength becomes significantly weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The suction force is generated and maintained through the continuous motion of the robot, with the suction cups making and breaking contact with the surface during the crawling cycle, creating consistent adhesion without requiring power
Solution Approach 2:
The passive suction system operates continuously throughout the robot's motion cycle. The suction cups maintain adhesion during the crawl by being periodically pressed against the surface during the power stroke and released during the return stroke, ensuring continuous grip without interruption or additional energy input
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid suction mechanism is used, then structural stability is improved, but ability to adapt to uneven and curved surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cups are designed with flexible membranes that can deform and conform to uneven surface geometries. This flexibility allows the rigid structural framework to remain stable while the compliant suction elements adapt to curved, inclined, or irregular surfaces, maintaining effective contact area and adhesion force
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The robot achieves robust and consistent grip on various surfaces with reduced power consumption and minimized error or slippage, enhancing its ability to crawl smoothly over complex terrains while being lightweight and reducing vibrations and heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
periodically create, and release vacuum to control operation of mechanical actuation of the plurality of piston-cylinder assemblies
Implementation Method 2
An efficient technique for crawling on the surface is to use vacuum grip or adhesion
Implementation Method 3
Each of the closed loop flexible guide rail and the closed loop flexible cam profile comprises a pair of spring assemblies along with a pair of flexible spring extension assembly
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of battery powered motors mounted on the chassis
Implementation Method 5
a plurality of roller bearings in the closed loop flexible guide rail and the closed cam profile to transfer load for a mechanical actuation
Data Source
AI summary
State of art techniques utilize active systems for stronger suction in surface crawlers while the passive approaches have limitation in providing consistent grip while moving across curved surfaces or dents. Embodiments herein provide an autonomous surface crawling robot for crawling over surfaces using electro-mechanical assembly for creating strong suction force and enabling the robot to smoothly crawl over flat surfaces, horizontal/vertical/inclined surfaces, curved surfaces, and surfaces with dents. Battery powered motors are used for only mobilization, while mechanical assembly generates suction to provide consistent grip across different type of surfaces. A dual flexible cam profile assembly including a cam profile and a guide rail generates required suction and addresses the technical challenge of maintaining suction across varying surfaces without using external power for suction generation. The dual flexible cam profile provides a robust, less prone to error or slippage type passive crawler mechanism, with consistent grip across uneven the surface.