Climbing robot for travelling over adhesive surfaces

A climbing robot for travelling over adhesive surfaces along a travel plane, the climbing robot comprising:

• square running gear (11) having corner areas (18);
• a support plate (12) that is symmetrical around the center and has four holding lugs (16) extending out in a star shape;
• four foot plates (13) arranged in each of the four corners (18) of the running gear (11), and each of the foot plates (13) attached to the support plate (12) of the running gear (11) so that the foot plates are capable of tilting with respect to one another;
• a guide (17) coupled to and running around the edges of each foot plate (13);
• endless traction mechanisms (14) operatively coupled to each of the foot plates (13);
• controllable adhesive feet (21) fastened to and driven by the endless traction mechanisms (14) at a predetermined distance and which circulate with the endless traction mechanisms (14) along the guides (17) in the travel plane, the controllable adhesive feet (21) comprising;
• adhesive elements (15) having adhesive sides which always point towards the adhesive surface and wherein the adhesive elements (15) that support and move the climbing robot are switched ON and lowered onto the adhesive surface and all of the other adhesive elements (15) are switched “OFF” and raised from the adhesive surface,
• wherein all of the adhesive feet (21) are routed through the guides (17) and run respectively along each of the foot plates (13) at a right angle around one corner area (18) each of the square running gear (11) and along an arc (19) connecting the ends of this corner area (18);
• and
• wherein the arcs (19) are disposed along an inner circle enclosed by the square running gear (11) and the center of the support plate (12) coincides with the center of the inner circle.