Curved Plastic Ribs for Robotic Frame Animation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structural frames for robotic figures are heavy, complex, noisy, and impractical for small form factors, requiring significant actuation force and often resulting in unnatural movement and excessive wear.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight structural frame composed of curved or arcuate ribs made from flexible plastic, supported by actuable elements that allow for elastic deformation, enabling natural and organic movement without noise, suitable for small form factors and repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid metal frame with springs and cables is used to provide structural support and movement, then the frame can withstand repeated use and provide desired movements, but the frame becomes heavy requiring significant actuation force and produces noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and noise characteristics while maintaining structural functionality. The plastic ribs provide sufficient strength and durability without the weight and noise problems of metal frames with springs and cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the noisy metal components (springs, cables, and other metallic elements) from the frame structure. By using plastic ribs that inherently provide the necessary structural support and flexibility, the design removes the sources of squeaking, rattling, and clanking noises while reducing overall weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid metal frame is used to provide structural support, then the frame can maintain its shape and provide desired movements, but the frame produces noise such as squeaking, rattling, and clanking during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the noise characteristics during operation. Plastic ribs provide structural integrity while eliminating the squeaking, rattling, and clanking noises inherent in metal frames with springs and cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the noisy metal components (springs, cables, and other metallic elements) from the frame structure. By using plastic ribs that inherently provide the necessary structural support and flexibility, the design removes the sources of operational noise while maintaining structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex metal frame with multiple components is used to achieve desired movements, then the frame can provide flexible animation, but the frame complexity makes it impractical for small form factor robotic figures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame into multiple individual ribs that can independently deform and flex. Each rib is a simple, identical component that provides localized flexibility, while the collective arrangement of ribs achieves the overall movement flexibility needed for animation. This segmented approach simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to complex metal frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, enabling a simpler structural design. Plastic ribs can be easily molded into the required shapes and can provide the necessary flexibility through their inherent material properties, eliminating the need for complex metal components, springs, and cables.
4Strength
If a metal frame is used to provide structural support for small robotic figures, then the frame can maintain structural integrity, but the frame weight increases the actuation force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight characteristics while maintaining structural support capability. Plastic ribs provide sufficient strength to maintain frame integrity during operation while being significantly lighter than metal alternatives, thereby reducing the actuation force requirements for small robotic figures.
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 frame provides a natural and organic appearance with reduced actuation force requirements, minimal noise, and increased durability, making it suitable for handheld robotic figures and prolonged use without frequent maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the ribs may be formed as a segment of a circle, ellipse, or oval or take another useful shape, and the ribs have an elongate body that can be formed, such as by using 3D printing, injection molding, or the like, so as to withstand repeated elastic deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot with an animated segment including a generally cylindrical structural frame. The frame includes a plurality of spaced apart plastic ribs that each have a curved or arcuate body that is arranged to be convex relative to a central axis of the structural frame. A first end of each rib is pivotally coupled with a lower ring, and a second end of each rib is pivotally coupled with an upper ring. A flexible outer covering is positioned over the structural frame and is attached to one or more of the ribs. This provides a robotic segment that is animated with an organic feel and natural movement by providing an actuator in the robot segment that is operated by a controller to move one or both of the rings such as linearly along a central axis of the structural frame (e.g., toward and away from the other ring).