Automated Building Construction With Track-Mounted Robotic Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated building construction systems are limited in the types, shapes, and sizes of buildings they can construct, restricting their versatility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising upright supports, vertically movable support platforms, a horizontally movable bridge platform, and a robotic arm mounted on a track, capable of retrieving and positioning structural insulated panels to construct buildings, which is modular and adaptable to various construction sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional automated building construction systems use fixed extrusion methods to build walls, then construction automation is achieved, but the system is limited in the types, shapes, and sizes of buildings that may be constructed
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation along a three-dimensional path, enabling it to place building blocks in varied locations and orientations. This dynamic positioning capability allows the same automated system to construct different building designs, shapes, and sizes by simply changing the programmed path and placement sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including the robotic arm's position coordinates, block selection, placement orientation, and layer height to accommodate different building designs. By varying these parameters through software control, the system can transition between constructing different types of buildings without physical reconfiguration, thereby achieving both automation and versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom is used to place building blocks along a three-dimensional path, then diverse building designs can be constructed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm system serves multiple functions: it can retrieve blocks from different storage locations, position them in three-dimensional space, orient them correctly, and place them with precise control. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated robotic mechanism with programmable degrees of freedom, reducing the need for multiple separate positioning systems and thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical reconfiguration mechanisms with software-controlled robotic motion. Instead of physically reconfiguring the construction system for different building types, a computer program directs the robotic arm's degrees of freedom to achieve the desired block placement patterns, substituting mechanical complexity with programmable control logic.
3Productivity
If structural insulated panels are used as building blocks, then construction efficiency is improved, but the system requires precise retrieval and positioning capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm system incorporates self-positioning and self-alignment capabilities through sensors and control systems that automatically detect block locations, orientations, and placement targets. This self-service functionality ensures precise positioning without requiring manual intervention or complex external positioning mechanisms, thereby maintaining both efficiency and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual positioning operations with automated robotic manipulation guided by computer vision and control algorithms. Sensors detect block positions and guide the robotic arm to precise placement locations, substituting human precision with automated sensing and control, thereby achieving high positioning accuracy while maintaining construction efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed systems for automated building construction may include upright supports, a support platform coupled to and vertically movable relative to the upright supports, and a bridge platform coupled to and horizontally movable along the support platform. A track may be mounted on the bridge platform, and a robotic arm may be coupled to and movable along the track. The robotic arm may be configured to retrieve structural insulated panels and to position the structural insulated panels to construct at least a portion of a building. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.