Humanoid Robot Mobile Base for Autonomous Battery Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile robot systems face challenges in maintaining continuous operation due to battery depletion, as they often require human intervention for recharging or battery replacement, which can lead to interruptions in task performance.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot system comprising a bipedal humanoid robot and a mobile base with a power source exchange mechanism, allowing for autonomous or semi-autonomous swapping of electrical power sources, either through recharging or battery replacement, using a tethered or wireless connection, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the mobile robot uses a battery-powered system for autonomous operation, then it achieves mobility and independence from human intervention, but it faces battery depletion that requires recharging or replacement, leading to interruptions in task performance
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile base performs preliminary actions by maintaining a charged battery or spare power sources ready in advance. When the robot body's battery depletes, the pre-charged power source is immediately transferred to continue operation without interruption, thus maintaining both autonomous operation and continuous task performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile base acts as an intermediary between the robot body and the power source. It receives, stores, and transfers power sources to the robot body as needed, mediating the power supply to ensure continuous operation while the robot maintains its autonomous functionality.
2Device complexity
If the robot requires human intervention for recharging or battery replacement, then the system structure can be simpler, but it leads to interruptions in task performance and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated battery management. The robot body autonomously navigates to the mobile base when power is needed, and the mobile base automatically transfers the charged battery or power source without human intervention. This maintains simple system structure while eliminating interruptions and preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile base performs preliminary charging of spare batteries and positions them ready for transfer. This preliminary preparation enables automatic, interruption-free battery replacement, maintaining simple system architecture while ensuring continuous task performance.
3Reliability
If the mobile base carries additional power sources and exchange mechanisms, then continuous operation is enabled, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power source system is segmented into the robot body's primary battery and the mobile base's spare power sources. This segmentation allows the complex power management functions to be distributed to the mobile base, enabling continuous operation while keeping the robot body's design simpler and more focused on its core functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile base serves multiple functions: it acts as a mobile platform, a charging station, a power source repository, and an autonomous assistant. By consolidating power source storage, charging, and transfer functions into the mobile base's multi-functional design, the system achieves continuous operation without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the robot body is transported by the mobile base, then operational range is extended, but the robot loses independence and requires the base for movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its configuration based on operational needs. The robot body can independently execute tasks when power is available, then autonomously transfer to the mobile base for recharging or extended range operations. This dynamic switching between independent operation and base-supported operation maintains robot independence while extending operational range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments mobility functions between the robot body (for local, independent movement) and the mobile base (for extended range transport). This segmentation allows the robot to maintain independence for task execution while utilizing the base for range extension, preserving autonomy while increasing versatility.
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 the mobile robot system to perform tasks continuously with minimal human intervention by automatically managing power source replenishment or replacement, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic system may be operable to cause a motion of at least one of the first robotic leg, the second robotic leg, and the first robotic arm
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the plurality of components of the mobile base may be a first primary electrical power source operable to provide electrical power to the mobile base
Implementation Method 3
The wireless electrical communicative coupling between the mobile base and the robot body may be an inductive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot system has a robot body attached to a mobile base. The robot body has a torso, a first robotic arm mechanically coupled to the torso, a first robotic leg, and a second robotic leg. The first robotic leg and the second robotic leg are controllably actuatable to enable the robot body to execute bipedal walking. The mobile base has a platform to receive a lower end of the first robotic leg and a lower end of the second robotic leg, at least one wheel and a controllable steering mechanism to enable the mobile base to travel both while the robot body is positioned on the platform and while the robot body is not positioned on the platform. The mobile base also has a plurality of components, at least one of which operable to support at least one function of the robot body.