Movement module and exterior wall climbing robot using the same

Curtain Wall Climbing Mobile Module Combining Sliding Wheel Adhesion and Rack-and-Pinion Clutch

This technology is a mobile module for climbing robots that moves along pre-installed guide rails on curtain wall structures. It uses the rotational force of the drive unit to press the sliding wheels against the guide surface for secure adhesion, while simultaneously transmitting driving force via a rack-and-pinion and cam mechanism to perform movement.

Existing suction-based or magnetic exterior wall climbing robots pose a high risk of falling in the event of an operational error and are difficult to apply universally to various curtain wall structures. Furthermore, manual exterior wall maintenance methods carry risks of industrial accidents and suffer from low cost-efficiency.

This technology proposes a mobile module that includes a pair of sliding wheels that adhere to guide grooves, a cam-based separation unit, and a mechanical clutch structure using a rack-and-pinion system, enabling secure fixation and movement without relying on suction force. It can be applied to the exterior maintenance of curtain wall buildings, allowing for stable high-rise operations without the risk of falling.

‍

‍

Key Features:

• A pair of sliding wheels that move while pressed against the guide surface of the drive unit and guide rail
• A power transmission unit that transfers rotational force from the drive unit to move each sliding wheel along the guide surface
• A separation unit that causes the sliding wheels to press against the guide surface using rotational force from the drive unit
• A mechanical clutch structure that controls power transmission via a rack-and-pinion system

‍

This invention was developed with support from the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement for the development of an intelligent robot system for high-rise building exterior maintenance.