Kiosk Robot Base Assembly for Stability With a Small Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Kiosk service robots in gaming environments face challenges in navigating challenging terrain, maintaining user interface accessibility, and avoiding tipping over due to their elevated centers of gravity and small footprint, while also appearing non-intimidating to patrons.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a base unit with motor-equipped drive wheels and swivel casters positioned to balance stability and mobility, a superstructure supporting displays at accessible heights, and a housing size that minimizes intimidation, along with display orientations that facilitate easy interaction and reduce tipping risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the kiosk service robot uses a small footprint housing to navigate tight spaces, then mobility and accessibility are improved, but stability deteriorates due to elevated center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the center of gravity horizontally rather than vertically by extending drive wheels laterally beyond the housing boundaries. This dimensional shift moves the stability reference from the vertical height (center of gravity elevation) to the horizontal footprint (wheel track width), enabling the robot to maintain stability despite its compact vertical profile and elevated internal components
Solution Approach 2:
The extended drive wheels act as counterbalancing elements that offset the destabilizing effect of the elevated center of gravity. By positioning mass (wheels and motors) laterally outward, the system creates a broader stability base that compensates for the high center of gravity, preventing tipping while maintaining a small housing footprint
2Ease of operation
If the kiosk service robot positions displays at elevated heights for visibility, then user interface accessibility is improved, but stability deteriorates due to increased top-heavy configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the stability reference from vertical to horizontal by extending drive wheels laterally. This allows the superstructure with elevated displays to remain stable because the horizontal wheel track provides a broader base of support, decoupling display height from stability concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The robot is divided into distinct functional segments: a compact housing containing internal components, an elevated superstructure for displays and user interface, and laterally extended drive wheels for stability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - displays can be positioned for optimal visibility while wheels provide stability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the kiosk service robot extends drive wheels beyond housing boundaries for stability, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheels serve multiple functions: they provide propulsion, act as stability elements by extending beyond the housing, and define the operational footprint. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stabilization components, reducing overall device complexity while achieving enhanced stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the stability function with the drive system by using the same wheels for both propulsion and stability. The drive wheels are integrated into the housing structure such that their lateral extension simultaneously provides motion and stabilizes the elevated center of gravity, eliminating the need for additional stabilization mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A kiosk service robot may include a base unit, a superstructure, and a first display. The base unit may include two drive wheels disposed on a first side of the base unit, each being independently drivable. The two drive wheels may be arranged such that the two drive wheels have a track between 14” and 18”. The base unit may also include a plurality of casters disposed on the first side of the base unit. The plurality of casters may be arranged such that each caster of the plurality of casters are radially offset from a track center of the plurality of casters by a distance between 7” and 9”. The base unit may further include a housing sized so as to be circumscribed by a cylindrical reference volume having a diameter of between 16” and 24” and configured to provide an exterior surface of the base unit.