360° Touch Sensing Housing for Robot Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current moving robots are limited in their ability to detect collisions at rear regions due to the restricted range of their bumpers, which results in a disconnected visual effect and compromised appearance integrity.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensing device with an inner and outer housing configuration that provides a 360° buffer and collision detection capability, utilizing resilient members and sensing switches to maintain a moving gap and detect relative displacement, allowing the robot to change direction and avoid obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional bumper is used for obstacle detection, then the robot can detect obstacles in front of it, but the detection range is limited to the front region (at most 180°) and the appearance integrity is compromised due to disconnected visual effect
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensing device is divided into an outer housing and an inner housing, creating a segmented structure that allows the outer housing to continuously surrender the inner housing around the robot body. This segmentation enables 360° obstacle detection while maintaining appearance integrity, as the outer housing can be designed to visually integrate with the robot's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner housing is nested within the outer housing, forming a concentric structure where the outer housing continuously surrounds the inner housing. This nesting arrangement allows the outer housing to provide comprehensive 360° protection and collision detection while maintaining a compact, integrated appearance that does not disrupt the robot's visual continuity.
2Reliability
If the bumper is positioned at the front portion of the robot, then it can buffer shock on the robot main body, but it cannot detect collisions at the rear regions when the robot retreats
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensing device is segmented into outer and inner housings that can independently move relative to each other. The outer housing continuously surrounds the inner housing, allowing collision detection from any direction (360° range) while the inner housing remains connected to the robot body, ensuring both comprehensive detection and maintained robot mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient members enable dynamic movement between the outer and inner housings. When collision occurs from any direction, the outer housing moves relative to the inner housing, triggering the sensing switches. This dynamic structure provides 360° collision detection capability while maintaining the robot's ability to move freely in all directions.
3Reliability
If the outer housing continuously surrenders the inner housing, then 360° buffer effect and collision detection is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The outer housing continuously surrounds the inner housing in a nested configuration, providing 360° protection and collision detection. This nested structure, while appearing complex, is actually a straightforward concentric arrangement that can be manufactured as integrated components, balancing comprehensive protection with structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer housing serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical protection, enables 360° collision detection, and maintains appearance integrity. By making the outer housing universally functional, the design achieves comprehensive protection without adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables comprehensive 360° protection and obstacle detection, enhancing the robot's ability to avoid collisions and improve its appearance integrity by providing continuous protection and simplifying manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient member being for maintaining a even moving gap between the inner housing and the outer housing
Implementation Method 2
the at least one sensing switch being for detecting the relative displacement between the inner housing and the outer housing
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensing device of a robot, comprising an inner housing and an outer housing continuously surrounds the inner housing at least at the side face of the inner housing. At least one resilient member used for maintaining an even moving gap between the outer housing and the inner housing and at least one sensing switch used for detecting relative displacement between the outer housing and the inner housing are disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing. The disclosure further provides a robot for mounting the touch sensing device. Since the outer housing surrounds the inner housing, no matter what portion of the robot is colliding with the obstacle, relative displacement occurs between the inner housing and the outer housing, and the robot can detect the collision. Thus the outer housing can provide buffering function from 360° perspective around the robot and detect the touched obstacle.