Tethered UAV Robotic Arm for Complex Surface Painting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV systems are limited in their ability to perform complex tasks at height, such as painting complex surfaces, due to restricted trajectories and lack of control over sharp face vertices and conical surfaces, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk for workers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a robotic arm and a centralized mobile reel unit that provides continuous supply of additives and subtractives, allowing for precise and stable maneuvers, including lateral and oblique movements, and enabling tasks like painting, cleaning, and maintenance on various structures without entanglement or increased energy expenditure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current UAV systems are used for painting complex surfaces, then they can perform basic frontal attack painting on flat surfaces, but they cannot paint sharp face vertices, conical surfaces, or complex structures requiring lateral or oblique movements
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system transitions from static, pre-programmed flight paths to dynamic, real-time trajectory adjustment. The system continuously adapts its flight path based on real-time sensor data and trajectory prediction algorithms, enabling lateral and oblique movements to access complex surfaces that require dynamic positioning rather than fixed trajectories.
Solution Approach 2:
A trajectory prediction device acts as an intermediary between the UAV control system and the environment. This device calculates and predicts optimal trajectories in advance, serving as a mediator that translates complex surface geometry into manageable flight paths, enabling the UAV to navigate complex structures without direct manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UAVs perform complex maneuvers to access all surfaces, then they can paint complex structures, but they risk cable entanglement and increased energy expenditure
Solution Approach 1:
The trajectory prediction device performs preliminary calculations of optimal flight paths before the UAV executes maneuvers. By pre-computing trajectories that avoid cable entanglement and minimize energy consumption, the system prepares advance flight plans that guide the UAV through complex structures efficiently, reducing unnecessary energy expenditure during actual execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data from the UAV's position, cable tension, and energy consumption are monitored in real-time. This feedback informs the trajectory prediction algorithm to dynamically adjust flight paths, preventing cable entanglement and optimizing energy usage during complex maneuvers around structures.
3Productivity
If workers perform manual tasks at height, then they can complete complex maintenance tasks, but they face safety risks and require traffic diversion
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs maintenance tasks autonomously without human intervention at height. The robotic arm with specialized tools executes painting, cleaning, and inspection tasks independently, eliminating the need for workers to physically position themselves on dangerous structures. The system serves itself by navigating, positioning, and executing tasks without human operators in hazardous zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human workers physically performing tasks at height with an automated robotic system. The UAV's robotic arm substitutes for human hands and tools, while trajectory prediction and autonomous navigation replace human decision-making and manual control, eliminating safety risks associated with human presence at height while maintaining task completion capability.
4Productivity
If UAVs use traditional frontal attack painting methods, then they can efficiently paint large flat areas, but they cannot access sharp edges, vertices, or complex geometric features
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs asymmetric trajectory strategies that adapt to the specific geometry of the surface being painted. Rather than using uniform frontal attack patterns, the trajectory prediction device calculates asymmetric flight paths that position the spray nozzle at optimal angles for complex features like sharp edges and vertices, while maintaining efficient symmetric patterns for large flat areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV dynamically adjusts its approach angle, distance, and speed based on real-time identification of surface features. The system transitions from static frontal attack patterns to dynamic multi-angle positioning, enabling precise coverage of complex geometric features while maintaining high productivity on flat surfaces through adaptive trajectory modification.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system that comprises: a control station intended to be operated; an unmanned aerial vehicle for multiple tasks (UAM) which is supported, by unmanned aerial devices (UAV), unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), and by a centralised mobile reel unit which feeds cables and hoses for supplying multiple additive and subtractive fluids (e.g. paint, air suction, etc.) and for charging power; wherein the cables and hoses comprise a device that makes it possible to predict trajectories, without interfering with flight maneuvers or the environment. The UAM comprises a robotic arm with specific tools that make it possible, for example, to paint fences, as well as a device that allows it to be attached to various surfaces.