Dust-Tolerant Robotic Interface Using Inductive Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic interfaces are prone to failure in dusty environments due to dust adherence, which fouls mating surfaces and mechanisms, leading to reduced efficiency and reliability in electrical power and data transfer, as well as mechanical energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A dust tolerant electromechanical interface is developed, comprising a parent module and a child module with specific features such as dust tolerant alignment pins, inductive power transfer, and RF communication, along with a rigidizing module using a controllable magnet to ensure secure mating and operation in dusty conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive electrical contacts are used for power and data transfer, then electrical power and data transfer can be achieved, but dust adherence fouls mating surfaces and reduces efficiency and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conductive electrical contacts with inductive coupling for power transfer and RF communication for data transfer. This substitution eliminates physical mating surfaces that are susceptible to dust adherence, thereby maintaining reliable electrical power and data transfer in dusty environments without the fouling problems associated with mechanical contact systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium for power and data transfer. Instead of direct physical contact between conductive elements, the system uses inductive coupling through electromagnetic fields for power transfer and RF waves for data communication, allowing energy and information to pass through dusty environments without direct surface contact.
2Ease of operation
If physically interacting mechanisms are used for alignment and mating, then components can be aligned and rigidized, but dust physically interferes with alignment and mating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dust-vulnerable physical alignment and mating mechanisms with electromagnetic field-based detection and actuation systems. Sensors detect alignment status through electromagnetic fields rather than physical contact, and actuators respond to electrical signals rather than mechanical feedback, eliminating dust interference with the alignment and mating operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between control systems and mechanical components. Electrical signals mediate the alignment process by controlling actuators and monitoring sensor status without requiring dust-prone physical contact between alignment features, allowing precise alignment operations in dusty environments.
3Strength
If mechanically interacting components are required to engage, then mechanical energy transfer can be achieved, but dust abrades surfaces and reduces lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical energy transfer mechanisms with electromagnetic field-based power transfer through inductive coupling. This eliminates abrasive mechanical contact between moving parts, transferring power wirelessly through electromagnetic fields and thereby extending interface lifespan by removing the primary source of wear and surface degradation in dusty environments.
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 interface effectively maintains operational reliability and efficiency in dusty environments by minimizing dust interference, ensuring continuous power and data transfer, and withstanding mechanical loads, thus extending the lifespan of the interface.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical power transfer module and the electrical power reception module are inductively coupled, such that when the electrical power transfer module and the electrical power reception module are within a transferring distance, the electrical power transfer module induces a voltage within the electrical power reception module, transferring power from the electrical power transfer module to the electrical power reception module
Implementation Method 2
the rigidizing module comprises a controllable magnet, and the rigidizing target comprises a ferromagnetic body, wherein when the interface is in the mated and rigidized configuration, the controllable magnet may be activated, such that magnetic force fixes the parent module to the child module
Implementation Method 3
the parent communication module comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver, and the child communication module comprises an RF transmitter and receiver, wherein when the interface is in the mated and rigidized configuration, the parent communication module sends and receives an RF signal to and from the child communication module
Data Source
AI summary
Dust tolerant robotic interfaces and systems, methods, and devices for a dust tolerant robotic interface are provided. A dust tolerant electromechanical interface includes a parent module and a child module. The parent module includes a parent mating surface, a mechanical alignment feature, a rigidizing module, and an auxiliary services module. The child module includes a child mating surface, a mechanical alignment target, a rigidizing target, and an auxiliary services reception module. The interface includes unmated and mated and rigidized configurations. In the mated and rigidized configuration, the parent mating surface and child mating surface are substantially parallel and within a separation distance, the mechanical alignment feature engages the mechanical alignment target, the rigidizing module engages the rigidizing target, the auxiliary services reception module engages the auxiliary services reception module, and the rigidizing module is enabled, fixing the parent module to the child module. Auxiliary services may include any one or more of electrical power, mechanical torque, and data.