VEHICLE FOR MOVING ALONG ARBITRARY ORIENTATED SURFACE Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC B62D57/00 

FIELD: mechanical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to vehicles capable of moving along arbitrary orientated surface, and it can be used in designing robots of different types for operation in difficult-to-get-at places and zones of danger. Proposed vehicle contains platform, vacuum grips, grip shifting mechanism and grip control device. Platform grip shifting mechanism is made in form of crawler propeller in which tracks links are furnished vacuum grips. Vacuum grip control device is made in form of vacuum pump with distributing mechanism for each track connected by flexible hoses with vacuum grips of said track. Distributing mechanism is made in form of two coaxial members adjoining by end faces. One of members is made movable and is provided with number of holes for flexible hoses equal to number of vacuum grips on track, and the other is made stationary, secured on platform with holes connected with vacuum pump or atmosphere. Movable member is coupled with track driving wheel. Holes from side of end faces pointed to movable members are provided with segment cavities whose angular sizes and arrangement are chosen to provide evacuation when vacuum grip touches surface and further on until vacuum grip tears of the surface. Track links can be furnished with rollers engaging with supports secured on platform.

EFFECT: simplified vehicle control system.

2 cl, 5 dwg