Articulating Mobile Apparatus Traction Control for Stairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile devices are limited in their ability to navigate over obstacles and difficult terrain, such as stairs, due to their fixed locomotion methods, which result in loss of traction and inability to traverse multi-level environments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mobile apparatus with three articulating sections, each equipped with traction control assemblies and propulsion systems, allowing for flexible articulation and maintenance of multiple points of contact with the ground to ensure traction and stability while navigating obstacles, including stairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile device uses fixed wheels and single track for locomotion, then it provides reliable transportation over even surfaces, but it cannot effectively climb obstacles or traverse sunken grades due to loss of traction
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device is divided into multiple articulating sections (first section, second section, third section) that can independently articulate relative to each other. Each section has its own propulsion device and can maintain contact with the ground separately, allowing the device to navigate obstacles by articulating different sections at different angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a fixed, rigid structure to a dynamic, articulating structure. The articulating sections can change their relative angles dynamically to adapt to different terrain conditions, enabling the device to climb stairs, traverse sunken grades, and maintain traction on varied surfaces.
2Force
If the front end of the mobile device is raised onto an obstacle or lowered into a sunken grade, then it attempts to gain traction, but most points of contact of the wheels and track lose contact with the ground, further impeding ability to gain traction
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into multiple articulating sections with independent propulsion, the system ensures that when one section loses ground contact, other sections maintain contact and can provide continuous tractive effort. This prevents complete loss of traction during obstacle negotiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device adds the dimension of articulation angles between sections, allowing it to negotiate obstacles by changing the spatial configuration of different sections. This enables the device to maintain ground contact through multiple points across different sections simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If a mobile device includes mechanisms for righting themselves after falling, then it can recover from falls down stairs, but this adds complexity to the device structure
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating sections with independent propulsion provide inherent dynamic capability for self-righting. When the device falls, the articulating sections can independently articulate and propel themselves to reposition the device, eliminating the need for separate righting mechanisms while maintaining the ability to recover from falls.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile apparatus has a first articulating section comprising a leading traction control assembly including multiple points of contact inclined at a forward angle, and a second articulating section comprising an intermediate traction control assembly. A propulsion system is configured to coordinate movement of the leading traction control assembly and the intermediate traction control assembly. A connector operatively couples the first articulating section to the second articulating section, and the first articulating section is configured to articulate relative to the second articulating section in response to one or more of the multiple points of contact of the leading traction control assembly coming into contact with an obstacle. A bias assembly is configured to exert a continuous compression force against one or both of the first articulating section and the second articulating section to maximize the number of points of contact between the mobile apparatus and the obstacle.