Cube Robot Module Assembly With Universal Multi-Function Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular robot systems are limited in providing various shapes and functions without the need for multiple specific blocks, leading to increased purchase costs and reduced user interest due to the requirement of multiple blocks for different configurations and functions.
Innovation Solution
A modular robot system comprising cube-type unit robots with a regular hexahedron housing, step motor, and controller, featuring mounting and connection grooves, identification marks, and capabilities for light emission, display, and sound output, allowing for various configurations and functions through adjustable step motor control sequences and central control terminal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific blocks are used to provide various shapes and functions, then the robot system can achieve diverse configurations and motions, but the purchase cost substantially increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single type of cube-shaped unit robot that can perform multiple functions. Each unit robot is equipped with a step motor, connector, and controller that enable it to serve different purposes depending on its position and configuration within the assembled robot. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized blocks, allowing users to create various shapes and motions using only identical unit robots, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific blocks are used to provide various shapes and functions, then the robot system can achieve diverse configurations and motions, but the purchase cost substantially increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces purchase cost by making all unit robots identical in structure and function. Instead of requiring users to buy different types of blocks for different purposes, the system uses a single universal unit robot design that can be configured into various shapes and functions through different assembly arrangements and control sequences, thereby eliminating the need to purchase multiple specialized components
3Device complexity
If cube-shaped unit robots are used with simple housing, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in distinguishing surfaces for correct assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation by providing each surface of the cube-shaped housing with distinct identification marks or patterns. This allows users to easily distinguish between different surfaces (front, back, left, right, top, bottom) despite the identical geometric shape, guiding correct assembly orientation and improving ease of operation without adding mechanical complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A modular robot system includes N (N is an integer that is 2 or greater) cube-type unit robots, each of the N cube-type unit robots comprising: a housing in the shape of a regular hexahedron; a step motor installed in the housing; and a controller installed in the housing and for controlling the step motor. The housing has, on one surface thereof, a mounting groove in which a rotary body rotating by means of a rotating shaft of the step motor can be mounted, and, on the other surface of the housing, a connection groove in the same shape, so that by means of a connector to be mounted in the connection groove, connection to another cube-type unit robot is possible, and the housing has identification marks with different shapes from one another on the respective surfaces thereof.