Integrated Bumper with Hidden Perimeter for Unified Robot Appearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic devices, such as robotic vacuum devices, often prioritize function over form, resulting in exposed gears and mechanisms that detract from their aesthetic appeal, making it difficult to unify appearance and functionality effectively.
Innovation Solution
An integrated bumper system is developed, featuring a bumper elastically coupled with the robot's chassis, incorporating an opening on its top surface and a bridging element that allows the bumper to slide relative to the bridging element upon impact, hiding the bumper's perimeter beneath the bridging element in both neutral and impacted positions, enhancing the device's inconspicuous design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a traditional bumper design is used with exposed mechanisms, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the aesthetic appearance is poor and form is not unified
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is merged with the chassis to form an integrated bumper system where the bumper is elastically coupled to the chassis. This integration unifies the appearance by making the bumper perimeter hidden beneath the bridging element, while the elastic coupling mechanism handles impact absorption internally without adding external complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper opening perimeter is nested beneath the bridging element, creating a layered structure where the bridging element covers the bumper perimeter. This nesting achieves a unified aesthetic appearance while maintaining the functional bumper structure underneath
2Shape
If the bumper perimeter is hidden beneath the bridging element during impacts, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the bumper movement mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is designed to be elastically coupled to the chassis, allowing it to dynamically move and slide relative to the bridging element upon impact. This dynamic design enables the bumper to absorb impacts while maintaining the hidden perimeter appearance, as the elastic coupling ensures the bumper returns to its neutral position after impact
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic coupling acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bumper and chassis, mediating the impact forces and enabling the bumper to slide relative to the bridging element. This intermediary mechanism achieves the unified appearance goal while managing the complexity of the movement mechanism through a simple elastic connection
3Reliability
If the bumper is elastically coupled to the chassis with sliding capability, then impact absorption is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic coupling changes the mechanical parameters of the bumper-chassis connection, allowing the bumper to move and slide upon impact while maintaining structural integrity. This parameter change enables effective impact absorption through elastic deformation and sliding motion, achieving improved reliability with a relatively simple coupling mechanism
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 solution provides an aesthetically enhanced robotic device with improved usability by maintaining the bumper's hidden perimeter during impacts and releases, addressing the need for both form and function integration.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic element coupled to the chassis and interfacing with the bumper
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an integrated bumper system including an integrated bumper system of a robot, including a bumper elastically coupled with a chassis of the robot and comprising an opening in a top surface of the bumper; at least one elastic element coupled to the chassis and interfacing with the bumper; and a bridging element coupled with the chassis or another component of the robot, wherein the bumper slides relative to the bridging element upon an impact and a release of the impact; a perimeter of the opening of the bumper is hidden beneath the bridging element when the bumper is in a neutral position and an impacted position; and the perimeter of the opening of the bumper remains hidden beneath the bridging element during movement of the bumper caused by the impact and the release of the impact.