Wall-Mountable Robotic Drawing System for Vertical Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating large-scale custom murals or outlines on vertical surfaces are time-consuming, require artistic skill, and are limited by the size of the surface or equipment, with existing graphical plotters being non-portable and unable to attach to walls or handle non-paper materials efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A wall-mountable system with a robot and extendable mounting track that allows for automated drawing on vertical surfaces using various tools, enabling easy assembly, disassembly, and transportation, and accommodating custom image sizes in both horizontal and vertical directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image projection is used to create outlines on vertical surfaces, then the outline can be displayed and adjusted in size, but the process is time-consuming and requires blocking the projected image while drawing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutline accuracyVSAvoiddrawing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual drawing with automated robotic end-effectors that trace the projected image coordinates automatically. The robot system uses motors and control algorithms to move drawing tools along the projected path, eliminating the need for manual blocking and drawing operations while maintaining outline accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary projection of the complete image onto the vertical surface before any drawing occurs. This allows the entire outline path to be pre-calculated and displayed, enabling the robot to follow the complete path without interruption or blocking, thus reducing total drawing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional graphical plotters are used to draw on vertical surfaces, then outlines can be created, but the equipment is non-portable and requires large floor space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutline precisionVSAvoidfloor space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from floor-based horizontal plotting to wall-mounted vertical plotting. By mounting the robot system on vertical surfaces, the equipment utilizes unused vertical space rather than occupying floor area, enabling precise outline drawing on walls while minimizing footprint on the ground level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The robot system is designed to be mounted on various vertical surfaces including walls, boards, and panels, making it universally applicable across different environments. The same equipment can serve multiple functions: projecting images, guiding robots, and adapting to different vertical surfaces, thereby eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If wire/cable robots are used for vertical surface plotting, then the system can attach to walls, but the plotting speed is very slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall attachment capabilityVSAvoidplotting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces slow wire/cable-based mechanical robots with faster motor-driven robotic end-effectors. The new system uses controlled motors and advanced motion algorithms to achieve higher speeds while maintaining wall attachment capability through improved mounting mechanisms that do not rely on slow wire-cable manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If stencils are used to create wall art outlines, then the outline can be transferred to the wall, but the process is time-consuming and tedious to make

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutline transfer accuracyVSAvoidstencil preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual stencil creation and transfer with digital image projection followed by automated robotic tracing. The system projects the desired image directly onto the wall surface and uses robots to trace the projected lines, eliminating the time-consuming manual processes of cutting, positioning, and transferring physical stencils while maintaining or improving outline accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10877459B2Apparatus for outlining on vertical surface and methods of use

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 KHOLODKOVA YELIZAVETA

AI summary

The present invention provides for a wall mountable system for automated drawing of an image upon a wall which includes a horizontal mounting track for mounting on a wall, a robot having a y-track rigidly mounted it where the robot and the mounted y-track travel along the horizontal track. An end effector, which includes a pen holding mechanism holding a pen, is in electrical communication with the robot and travels along the y-track of the robot. The present invention provides a system and device that can attach to a wall or vertical surface in a damage-free manner and draw fast any complexity or style image of custom size in both the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) directions, that is easy to remove and transport and require small floor space to operate.