Structure design of a mobile jack robot

Abstract

A novel type of mobile jack robot is proposed in view of the fact that the traditional method of debris jacking up is usually inefficient and unsafe. The jack robot has two motion modes: fast motion mode in which the robot can drive in straight line, veer and climb with the use of crawler and crawling mode in which the robot can open narrow gaps and cultivate spaces under debris by itself to enable it to pass through. The step-shaped structure on the robot's head is able to insert into a 40 mm gap and expand it to 410 mm gradually, to make enough spaces for rescue teams and other rescue tools to save out survivors under debris. The robot can jack up 1000 kg load driven by a single-acting hydraulic cylinder which generates 101 kN force at rated pressure 70 MPa. Experiments are carried out to verify the validity of the proposed design.