Telescopic Arm Chain Drive for Narrow-Access Heavy Lifting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote-operation motorized telescopic arms with distributed-drive systems have a large cross-section that prevents them from passing through smaller-diameter through-holes while maintaining heavy lifting capability, limiting the diameter of the control motor and reducing the arm's versatility.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic device with an inner and outer tube system, driven by a first electric motor through a chain conveyor mechanism, allowing the tubes to slide relative to each other, enabling precise and repeatable extension and retraction without external control rods, thus reducing the overall arm diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a distributed-drive system with external control rod device is used, then precise and repeatable movement control is achieved, but the overall cross-section of the arm increases, limiting the ability to pass through smaller-diameter through-holes
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod device is integrated inside the telescopic tubes of the arm, with the control rod housed within the tube structure. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for external control rod mounting, thereby reducing the overall arm cross-section while maintaining the precise movement control functionality of the distributed-drive system
Solution Approach 2:
The control rod is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the telescopic tubes rather than externally, utilizing the internal space of the tube structure. This dimensional reorganization allows the control mechanism to be embedded within the arm's existing structural envelope, reducing the lateral dimension (cross-section) without compromising control precision
2Ease of operation
If the control rod device is positioned external to the arm, then movement transmission is achieved, but the diameter of the control motor is limited, reducing heavy lifting capability
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod device is nested within the telescopic tube structure, creating internal space that can accommodate larger control motors. This integration allows the motor diameter to be increased without expanding the external dimensions of the arm, thereby restoring heavy lifting capability while maintaining ease of movement transmission
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm diameter is reduced to pass through smaller through-holes, then adaptability to confined spaces is improved, but the control motor diameter is limited, affecting lifting capability
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the control rod device within the telescopic tubes, the arm's external diameter can be minimized for passing through confined spaces, while the internal volume is optimized to accommodate sufficiently large control motors that maintain heavy lifting capability. This resolves the contradiction between adaptability and strength
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
Enables the arm to pass through smaller-diameter openings while maintaining heavy lifting capability and precise control, enhancing the arm's versatility and adaptability in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric motor secured to one end of the intermediate tube... said motor being coupled to a drive pinion of a chain conveyor
Implementation Method 2
said chain conveyor comprising an outbound portion and a return portion... said outbound portion travelling towards said distal end as the telescopic device extends
Implementation Method 3
the intermediate tube sliding in the first tube and the inner tube sliding in the intermediate tube
Data Source
AI summary
Telescopic device of a remote-operation arm, comprising an outer tube that is fixed relative to a mounting joint that forms the shoulder of the arm and defines a proximal end of the telescopic device, an intermediate tube and an inner tube provided at a distal end of the telescopic device with a tool-manipulator device, the intermediate tube sliding in the outer tube and the inner tube sliding in the intermediate tube, the telescopic device comprising a first electric motor secured to one end of the intermediate tube at the end corresponding to the proximal end, said motor being coupled to a drive pinion of a chain conveyor extending through the inner tube towards the distal end, said chain conveyor comprising an outbound portion and a return portion between said drive pinion and a follower pinion at the end corresponding to the distal end, said outbound portion travelling towards said distal end and the return portion travelling towards said proximal end as the telescopic device extends, and wherein the inner tube is secured via a first rod to the outbound portion near said motor while the outer tube is secured to the return portion at the end corresponding to the follower pinion via a second rod extending along the chain conveyor so that when the telescopic device is retracted, rotation of the first electric motor in the direction for extending the telescopic device pushes the outer tube and the inner tube in two opposite directions with respect to the central tube causing the telescopic device to extend, and so that, when the telescopic device has been extended, rotation of the first electric motor in a direction for retracting the telescopic device pulls the outer tube and the inner tube towards one another.