Omni-directional Contact Detection via Displaceable Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous moving apparatuses require complex and costly configurations with multiple detection devices to detect contacts or collisions in all directions, leading to decreased productivity and reliability, and existing obstacle detection systems have limitations in detecting contacts unless a detection surface makes direct contact, which increases manufacturing costs and may miss oblique collisions.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous moving apparatus with a cover that can displace relative to the vehicle's surfaces, using fewer detection units to detect contacts in all directions by sensing relative displacement, and incorporating a control unit to manage the drive unit based on detection signals, allowing for omni-directional contact detection with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple detection devices are provided around the entire circumference to detect contacts in all directions, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single detection device is made multi-functional by detecting contacts from all directions through the cover's displacement mechanism. The cover acts as a universal interface that translates omnidirectional contact forces into linear displacement detectable by the sensor, allowing one device to perform the function of multiple directional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover serves as an intermediary between the obstacle and the detection device. Instead of directly detecting contacts from all directions, the detection device measures the cover's displacement caused by contact forces. The cover mediates the transformation of multidirectional contact forces into a single detectable displacement parameter.
2Measurement precision
If eight micro switches are arranged between the vehicle body base plate and external cover to detect all directional contacts, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection functions are merged into a single detection device. Instead of using eight separate micro switches for different directions, one detection device measures the cover's displacement, which inherently contains information about contact direction and intensity, combining multiple detection capabilities into a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection approach changes from measuring multiple independent parameters (eight separate switch states) to measuring a single parameter (cover displacement) that encodes directional information. The displacement magnitude and direction relative to the cover's equilibrium position provide information about contact direction and force intensity.
3Reliability
If tape switches are used for obstacle detection, then contact detection is achieved, but oblique collisions are not detected and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be dynamically displaceable rather than fixed, allowing it to respond to contact forces from any direction. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to oblique and multidirectional collisions, unlike fixed tape switches that only detect contacts in specific orientations.
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
Enables efficient detection of contacts in all directions using fewer detection devices, improving productivity and reliability while reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing detection accuracy by utilizing a cover that displaces relative to the vehicle's surfaces, allowing for proportional detection of contact intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a cover (11) which is attached to the vehicle (10) in such a manner that the cover (11) can be displaced with respect to the vehicle (10)
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous moving apparatus includes a vehicle provided with a drive unit; a cover that is attached to the vehicle such that the cover either entirely or partially covers side, upper, and lower surfaces of the vehicle, and the cover is arranged to be displaced with respect to the vehicle; a detection unit arranged to output detection signals in accordance with relative displacement generated between at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the vehicle and the cover facing at least one of the upper and lower surfaces; and a control unit arranged to control the drive unit in accordance with the detection signals output from the detection unit.