Explosion-proof robot

Abstract

An explosion-proof robot is an explosion-proof robot which is capable of self-propulsion on a field and includes: an explosion-proof casing of a hollow shape inside of which at least one electric component is placed; and a cover including a nonmetal material and covering at least part of an outer surface of the explosion-proof casing.

Claims

1. An explosion-proof robot capable of self-propulsion on a field, comprising: an explosion-proof casing of a hollow shape inside of which at least one electric component is placed; and a cover including a nonmetal material and covering at least part of an outer surface of the explosion-proof casing, wherein the cover includes a nonmetal material which is electrically conductive, and wherein an inner surface resistance value and an outer surface resistance value of the cover are 1.0×10.sup.8Ω or less.

2. The explosion-proof robot according to claim 1, wherein the cover covers at least a side face of the explosion-proof casing.

3. The explosion-proof robot according to claim 1, wherein the cover is formed to be softer than the explosion-proof casing.

4. The explosion-proof robot according to claim 1, wherein the nonmetal material includes leather.

5. The explosion-proof robot according to claim 1, wherein the nonmetal material includes conductive synthetic rubber.

6. The explosion-proof robot according to claim 1, further comprising a self-propelled unit provided on at least one surface of the explosion-proof casing, wherein the nonmetal material is provided to cover at least around the self-propelled unit of the explosion-proof casing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an explosion-proof robot according to one embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an explosion-proof robot according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is intended, however, that dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions and the like of components described in the embodiments or illustrated in the drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limitative of the scope of the present invention.

(4) For example, expressions representing relative or absolute positioning such as “in a certain direction,” “along a certain direction,” “parallel,” “perpendicular to,” “center,” “concentric,” or “coaxial” not only strictly represent such arrangement, but also represent a state where its position is relatively changed within tolerance or by an angle or distance of some degree that allows to obtain the same function.

(5) For example, expressions representing shapes such as a quadrangular shape and a cylindrical shape not only represent the shapes of, for example, the quadrangular shape and the cylindrical shape in a geometrically strict sense, but also represent shapes including protrusions, recesses, chamfered parts, etc. within a range capable of obtaining the same effects.

(6) Meanwhile, expressions such as “comprise/comprising,” “contain/containing,” “be equipped with,” “include/including,” or “have/having” one constituent element are not exclusive expressions that exclude the existence of other constituent elements.

(7) An explosion-proof robot 10 (10A, 10B) according to some embodiments is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

(8) Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the explosion-proof robot 10 (10A, 10B) has a traveling unit 12 (12a, 12b) and is capable of self-propulsion on field F in an inflammable gas atmosphere. Furthermore, the explosion-proof robot 10 (10A, 10B) includes an explosion-proof casing 14 of a hollow shape and an electric component 16 for the explosion-proof robot 10 to perform the intended work is placed inside the explosion-proof casing 14. The explosion-proof robot 10 (10A, 10B) includes a cover 18 which covers at least part of an outer surface of the explosion-proof casing 14 on the outside of the explosion-proof casing 14. The cover 18 includes a nonmetal material and, for example, is composed of the nonmetal material.

(9) When the explosion-proof robot 10 with the above-described configuration travels and performs work, the cover 18 which covers at least part of the explosion-proof casing 14 is made of the nonmetal material which has shock absorbability, so that even if the explosion-proof robot 10 enters into contact with, or hits, any falling object 19 or obstacle 20, the cover 18 exhibits the shock absorbability and the occurrence of the mechanical sparks can be suppressed. Therefore, the occurrence of a flammable gas explosion caused by the mechanical sparks can be prevented.

(10) In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, the explosion-proof robot 10 (10A) is provided with the traveling unit 12 (12a) on at least one surface of the explosion-proof casing 14 and includes wheels 21 as the traveling unit 12 (12a).

(11) In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, the explosion-proof robot 10 (10B) is provided with the traveling unit 12 (12b) on at least one surface of the explosion-proof casing 14 and includes an endless track as the traveling unit 12 (12b).

(12) The explosion-proof robot 10 (10A, 10B) has the cover 18, which includes the nonmetal material having the shock absorbability, to cover the explosion-proof casing 14 in which the electric component 16 is placed, so that even if the explosion-proof robot 10 enters into contact with, or hits, any falling object 19 or obstacle 20, the cover 18 absorbs shocks and, therefore, the occurrence of the mechanical sparks can be suppressed.

(13) As the nonmetal material to configure the cover 18, it is possible to apply, for example, woods, synthetic resins, synthetic rubber, paper, leather (such as animal skin of cows, sheep, etc.). Particularly, if the nonmetal material is flexible or elastic, the shock absorbability can be enhanced.

(14) In one embodiment, the cover 18 can be of a jacket structure which has a space inside. By having the space inside, a dent(s) can be easily formed in the cover 18 when the explosion-proof robot 10 enters into contact with, or hits, any falling object 19 or obstacle 20. As a result, the shock absorbability can be enhanced.

(15) In one embodiment, the cover 18 is located at a position to cover at least a side face of the explosion-proof casing 14.

(16) The occurrence of substantially most of the mechanical sparks can be suppressed by covering the side face of the explosion-proof casing 14, which can easily enter into contact with, or hit, any obstacle 20, with the cover 18.

(17) In one embodiment, when the volume of the cover 18 is so large to cause electrification by, for example, static electricity, the cover 18 is to be manufactured with the nonmetal material which is electrically conductive.

(18) When the volume of the cover 18 is small and an electric charge amount of the static electricity does not become large enough to generate the electrostatic sparks, there is no need to consider the occurrence of the electrostatic sparks. However, if the volume of the cover 18 is so large to cause the electrification, the cover 18 is to be manufactured with the nonmetal material which is electrically conductive in order to suppress the occurrence of the electrostatic sparks.

(19) By manufacturing the cover 18 with the nonmetal material which is electrically conductive, the static electricity generated at the cover 18 can be allowed to escape outside and, as a result, the occurrence of the electrostatic sparks can be suppressed.

(20) As the conductive nonmental material capable of suppressing not only the mechanical sparks, but also the electrostatic sparks, it is possible to apply, for example, woods, conductive resins, conductive synthetic rubber, paper, leather, and so on.

(21) In one embodiment, the cover 18 which has the surface resistance value of 1.0×10.sup.8Ω or less is used. By using the cover with the surface resistance value within the above-described range, the cover 18 can be made electrically conductive and, therefore, the static electricity can be allowed to escape outside and the electric charge amount can be reduced. As a result, the occurrence of the electrostatic sparks can be suppressed.

(22) When the surface resistance value of the cover 18 exceeds 1.0×10.sup.8Ω, the electric conductivity reduces and the electric charge amount of the cover 18 thereby increases. So, when the cover 18 enters into contact with, or hits, any falling object 19 or obstacle 20, there is fear that the electrostatic sparks may occur.

(23) In one embodiment, the cover 18 is formed to be softer than the explosion-proof casing 14.

(24) Accordingly, the shock absorbability of the cover 18 increases more than that of the explosion-proof casing 14. So, even if the explosion-proof robot 10 enters into contact with, or hits, any falling object 19 or obstacle 20, the cover 18 absorbs shocks. Therefore, the occurrence of the mechanical sparks can be suppressed more as compared to when the explosion-proof casing 14 enters into contact with, or hits, the falling object 19 or the obstacle 20.

(25) In one embodiment, the cover 18 is manufactured with leather (such as animal skin of cows, sheep, etc.). Since the animal skin generally has the surface resistance value of approximately 10.sup.8Ω, no electrostatic sparks will be generated even if the animal skin enters into contact with, or hits, any falling object 19 or obstacle 20. Furthermore, the leather has good shock absorbability and the occurrence of the mechanical sparks can be suppressed even if the leather enters into contact with, or hits, any falling object 19 or obstacle 20.

(26) Incidentally, moisture and humidity have electrically conductive property. Since the leather has hygroscopic property, the electric conductivity can be enhanced by absorbing the humidity; and as a result, the effect of suppressing the electrostatic sparks can be enhanced by manufacturing the cover 18 with the leather.

(27) In one embodiment, the cover 18 is manufactured with conductive synthetic rubber (for example, the same materials as those for rubber tires of vehicles).

(28) The conductive synthetic rubber generally has the surface resistance value of 1.0×10.sup.6 to 1.0×10.sup.8Ω and is electrically conductive. Furthermore, since the conductive synthetic rubber is very elastic and has good shock absorbability, the occurrence of the mechanical sparks and the electrostatic sparks can be suppressed.

(29) In one embodiment, the traveling unit 12 (12a) illustrated in FIG. 1 is a plurality of wheels 21 and at least the periphery of the wheels 21 is manufactured with the nonmetal material (for example, the conductive synthetic rubber). As a result, even if the wheels 21 enter into contact with, or hit, any obstacle 20, the occurrence of the mechanical sparks and the electrostatic sparks can be suppressed.

(30) In one embodiment, the traveling unit 12 (12b) illustrated in FIG. 2 is an endless track and at least the periphery of this endless track is manufactured with the conductive synthetic rubber.

(31) At least the periphery of the endless track is made of the nonmetal material (for example, the conductive synthetic rubber), so that even if the endless track enters into contact with, or hits, any obstacle 20, the occurrence of the mechanical sparks and the electrostatic sparks can be suppressed.

(32) In one embodiment, the above-described endless track includes, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a crawler 22, a drive wheel 24 which drives the crawler 22, an idler wheel 26 which guides the crawler 22, and trank rollers 28 which guide the crawler 22. For example, conductive nitrile rubber NBR which has excellent tensile strength and wear resistance is used as the conductive synthetic rubber which constitutes at least the periphery of the crawler 22.

(33) As a result, the occurrence of the mechanical sparks and the electrostatic sparks can be suppressed effectively and this can be durable in the inflammable gas atmosphere for a long period of time.

(34) By using the explosion-proof robot 10 according to the above-described embodiment, it becomes possible for various types of explosion-proof robots to operate in the explosive atmosphere, so that the situation such as disasters can be checked promptly and securely and the level of life saving and facility maintenance can be upgraded. Furthermore, labor cost can be reduced and inspection frequency can be enhanced by using the explosion-proof robot(s) to, for example, patrol a petrochemical plant.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(35) The explosion-proof robot according to some embodiments of the present invention can be used as an explosion-proof robot which can be used in the explosive atmosphere.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(36) 10 (10A, 10B) Explosion-Proof Robot 12 (12a, 12b) Traveling Unit 14 Explosion-Proof Casing 16 Electric Component 18 Cover 19 Falling Object 20 Obstacle 21 Wheels 22 Crawler 24 Drive Wheel 26 Idler Wheel 28 Trank Roller F Field