Automated and Versatile Autonomously Climbing Undercarriage with Flight Capability

• US 20160068261A1
• Filed: 04/30/2014
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Niederberger-Engineering AG
• Original Assignee: Niederberger-Engineering AG
• Inventors: Niederberger, Anton
• Granted Patent: US 10,118,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 1/02 Power-driven machines or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/16 Fairings movable in conjunction with undercarriage elements
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/29 for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/31 for surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/40 foldable or retractable
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 23/002 Arrangements for cleaning building facades

Abstract

The object of the invention is to therefore create an automated and versatile autonomously climbing undercarriage with flight capability that automatically reaches a suitable area for cleaning purposes, repair purposes, and monitoring purposes without being constantly connected to a supply station or base station in the process, and that independently goes to the surface of the facade and independently moves along the surface and away from the surface.

The automated and versatile autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) with vacuum suction units (2) as per the invention involves a multicopter (3) with two, three or more rotors (11) or propellers (11) attached to the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1).

Claims

1. Automated and versatile autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) with vacuum suction units (2),

characterized in that

a multicopter (3) with two, three or more rotors (11) or propellers (11) is attached to the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1), wherein the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) and the multicopter (3) can be moved relative to one another via at least one joint (9).

3. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1, characterized in that

the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) is attached to the multicopter (3) via at least one support arm (12).

4. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a cleaning unit (4), a tool holder (4), an assembly unit (4), pressure devices (4), coating devices (4) and/or resources for acoustic and/or visual monitoring (5) exist on the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1).

5. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one storage tank (6) for water, cleaning agents and/or compressed air is arranged on the multicopter (3) and/or the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1).

6. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the multicopter (3) and/or the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) have at least one locally flexible and/or one locally fixed energy supply unit.

7. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one docking station (7) is available and interfaces to charge up the energy supply unit, to exchange the energy supply unit, to provide compressed air, to provide water, to provide cleaning agents and/or to effect a tool change are available at the docking station (7).

8. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the multicopter (3) and/or the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) have photovoltaic modules (8).

9. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the multicopter (3) has resources for acoustic and/or visual monitoring.

10. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the multicopter (3) and/or the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) have resources for determining the position.

11. Autonomously climbing undercarriage according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the multicopter (3) and/or the autonomously climbing undercarriage (1) can be remotely controlled in a manual and/or automated way.

2. (canceled)