Humanoid Robot Upper Body Anthropometric Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robots lack human proportions, resulting in unnatural movements and limited ability to perform tasks in human-made environments.

Innovation Solution

Designing an upper-body humanoid robot that fits within a human envelope with less than 25% deviation in torso length, shoulder width, bicep length, and forearm length, and incorporating a compact mechanical layout, wire routing scheme, and embedded electronics for enhanced cable management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the robot is designed with human proportions to achieve natural movements, then the robot's ability to interact with human-made environments is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to interact with human-made environmentsVSAvoidrobot design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot is divided into modular segments (torso, arms, shoulders, neck) with standardized connection interfaces. Each segment can be independently designed, assembled, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining human-like proportions for environmental interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized mounting patterns that allow the same structural elements to serve multiple functions. For example, the shoulder assembly serves both as a structural support and as a actuation mechanism, reducing the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If the robot uses a compact mechanical layout to reduce size, then the robot fits better in human environments, but the wire routing and cable management become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot sizeVSAvoidwire routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Cables and wiring are routed through hollow structural elements and internal channels within the robotic segments. The wire routing paths are nested within the mechanical structure itself, allowing compact packaging without external wiring that would increase overall robot volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management system transitions from two-dimensional surface routing to three-dimensional routing through the volume of structural components. Cables are embedded within torsos and limbs, utilizing the internal volume of the robot's body rather than external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250042020A1Humanoid robot

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 APPTRONIK INC

AI summary

A humanoid robot includes a base, a robotic torso coupled to the base, at least one robotic arm, at least one robotic shoulder coupling the at least one robotic arm to the robotic torso, a robotic neck coupled to the robotic torso, and a plurality of actuators configured to move at least a portion of at least one of the robotic torso, the at least one robotic arm, the at least one robotic shoulder, and the robotic neck. Each of the robotic torso, the at least one robotic arm, the at least one robotic shoulder, and the robotic neck is defined by one or more proportions that deviates less than 25% from respective proportions of a human envelope.