Amphibious Bionic Animal Foot Drive With Low-Cost Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bionic animals that can swim underwater and crawl on land have complex internal mechanisms and high manufacturing costs due to the need for waterproof structures and motors, particularly waterproof motors, which are more expensive than non-waterproof ones.
Innovation Solution
A bionic animal design featuring a shell with multiple sealing rings, dual-axis foot rotation mechanisms, and infrared sensors for obstacle detection, along with electrodes to sense water or land conditions, allowing for versatile movement and waterproofing without the need for expensive waterproof motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If waterproof motors are used to enable amphibious movement, then the bionic animal can swim and crawl effectively, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the amphibious movement system into two separate motors: a waterproof motor for swimming operations and a non-waterproof motor for land crawling operations. This segmentation allows each motor to be optimized for its specific environment, avoiding the need for both motors to be expensive waterproof types, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining full amphibious capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic motor selection mechanism that automatically switches between the waterproof motor and non-waterproof motor based on whether the bionic animal is in water or on land. This dynamic allocation ensures the appropriate motor is used for each operation mode, optimizing performance while minimizing the cost impact of having two separate motors
2Adaptability or versatility
If waterproof structures are added to enable underwater operation, then the bionic animal achieves amphibious capability, but the internal mechanism becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motor system into waterproof and non-waterproof components, isolating the complexity of waterproofing to only where it is necessary (in the waterproof motor and its associated transmission mechanism), while keeping the land-based motor simple and non-waterproof, thereby managing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system that acts as an intermediary between the environment (water/land detection) and the motor selection, automatically managing which motor operates based on conditions. This intermediary handles the complexity of coordination, keeping the mechanical structures themselves relatively simple
3Reliability
If waterproof structures are implemented to meet waterproof requirements, then the bionic animal can operate underwater, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies waterproofing only to the motor that will operate in water, while leaving the land-based motor without waterproof structures. This segmented approach ensures reliable waterproof performance where needed while avoiding the unnecessary cost of waterproofing components that will never be exposed to water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a non-waterproof motor for land operations that does not require expensive waterproof structures, accepting that this motor component is not designed for water exposure. This allows the use of simpler, cheaper motor designs for land-based operations while maintaining reliability for underwater operations through the dedicated waterproof motor
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 design enables efficient amphibious movement and reliable waterproofing at a lower cost by using cost-effective sealing rings and sensors, allowing the bionic animal to swim and crawl effectively while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The shell has a first shaft hole. The first front foot driving motor is disposed in the shell. The first front foot rotating shaft is disposed in the first shaft hole. The transmission mechanism is disposed in the shell and connected to the first front foot driving motor and the first front foot rotating shaft.
Implementation Method 2
In an embodiment, the bionic animal further comprises two electrodes exposed from the shell. The two electrodes are configured to sense a voltage difference to determine whether the bionic animal is in water or on land.
Implementation Method 3
In an embodiment, the bionic animal further comprises a head, a first infrared sensor, a second infrared sensor and a third infrared sensor. The first infrared sensor, the second infrared sensor and the third infrared sensor are disposed in the shell and located behind the head
Implementation Method 4
The first front foot driving motor drives the frame to rotate around a first axis through the transmission mechanism and the first front foot rotating shaft to drive the front foot assembly to rotate around the first axis.
Implementation Method 5
The second front foot driving motor drives the front foot assembly to rotate around a second axis through the second front foot rotating shaft.
Implementation Method 6
The rear foot driving motor drives the rear foot assembly to rotate around the first axis through the rear foot rotating shaft.
Implementation Method 7
The head driving motor drives the second crank to rotate around the first axis through the head rotating shaft, and the second crank drives the head to move along the second axis through the second linkage rod and the sliding rod.
Data Source
AI summary
A bionic animal includes a shell, a first front foot driving motor, a first front foot rotating shaft, a transmission mechanism, a frame, a second front foot driving motor, a second front foot rotating shaft and a front foot assembly. The shell has a first shaft hole. The first front foot rotating shaft is disposed in the first shaft hole. The transmission mechanism is connected to the first front foot driving motor and the first front foot rotating shaft. The frame is connected to the first front foot rotating shaft. The second front foot driving motor is disposed in the frame. The second front foot rotating shaft is connected to the second front foot driving motor. The front foot assembly is connected to the second front foot rotating shaft.