Coilable Flexible Mast for Compact Robot Storage and Privacy Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mobile robots face challenges in efficiently managing their mast systems for vertical image capture, particularly in terms of compact storage, tangle prevention, and privacy modes, as existing solutions do not adequately address these needs.
Innovation Solution
A retractable and extendable mast system featuring a flexible member that coils within the robot's body, with a spool assembly and drive roller mechanism to control the mast's extension and retraction, allowing the image capture device to move vertically while maintaining a compact profile and enabling privacy modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image capture device is mounted on a fixed mast extending vertically from the robot body, then the image capture device can maintain a stable elevated position for wide-angle monitoring, but the robot cannot achieve compact storage or privacy mode functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed mast with a retractable flexible member that can dynamically change its state between extended and retracted positions. The flexible member is controlled by a spool assembly that can pay out or wind in the member as needed, allowing the image capture device to transition between elevated monitoring position and compact stored position within the robot body, thus achieving both stable elevated operation and compact storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nesting principle by storing the flexible member in a coiled configuration within the robot body when not in use. The flexible member is nested within the confines of the robot housing, and the interface cable is separately spooled within the body, allowing both components to be compactly stored without interfering with the robot's overall form factor or enabling privacy mode when retraction is desired
2Strength
If a rigid mast structure is used to support the image capture device vertically, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the system becomes complex and difficult to retract into a compact form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a flexible member instead of a rigid mast structure. The flexible member can be made of materials such as fabric, rubber, or polymer that provide sufficient strength to support the image capture device while allowing the member to be easily coiled and stored within the robot body. This flexible construction inherently simplifies the retraction mechanism compared to rigid structures, as the flexible member can be paid out and wound in by the spool assembly without requiring complex joints, hinges, or locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using a spool assembly with a drive roller mechanism to control the extension and retraction of the flexible member. The drive roller can rotate to pay out the flexible member when extension is needed or wind in the member for retraction, providing a simple and effective means of controlling the mast's position without requiring complex mechanical structures
3Ease of operation
If the interface cable is allowed to extend freely with the flexible member, then the image capture device can move vertically without restriction, but the cable may become tangled or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by separating the management of the flexible member and the interface cable into distinct arrangements. The flexible member is coiled within the robot body and paid out through a spool assembly, while the interface cable is separately spooled within the body. This segmentation allows each component to be managed independently, preventing the cable from becoming tangled with the flexible member during extension and retraction operations, thus maintaining both vertical movement freedom and cable integrity
4Reliability
If the flexible member is made wide enough to form a protective conduit around the interface cable, then cable protection is improved, but the storage volume required within the robot body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by separating the flexible member and interface cable into distinct storage arrangements within the robot body. The flexible member is coiled in one arrangement while the interface cable is separately spooled in another arrangement. This segmentation allows both components to be stored efficiently in compact configurations, preventing the need for a single large-volume conduit structure while still providing cable protection through the separate spooling arrangement that prevents tangling and damage
Data Source
AI summary
A protractible and retractable mast system for an autonomous mobile robot includes an elongate flexible member including a first lateral end and a second lateral end, and a fastener having a first portion extending along a length of the first lateral end and a second portion extending along a length of the second lateral end. The flexible member is configured to be at least partially coiled within a body of the robot, and a portion of the flexible member is vertically movable away from the body when the flexible member is being uncoiled. The fastener is configured to connect the first lateral end to the second lateral end when the flexible member is being uncoiled, and disconnect the first lateral end from the second lateral end when the flexible member is being coiled.