Legged Robot Discharge Foot Assembly for Static-Safe Walking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Legged robots face challenges in harsh environments due to electrostatic charging, which can lead to potential explosions, and existing discharge systems are prone to failure or entanglement, especially in explosive environments.
Innovation Solution
A legged robot with synchronized electrostatic discharge assemblies on each leg, comprising electrostatic discharge contacts, members, and feet that ensure controlled discharge to the ground during each walking cycle, minimizing the risk of electrostatic charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated discharge wire is used to connect the robot with the ground, then electrostatic discharge function is achieved, but the wire easily breaks off or deforms and may entangle with the robot legs during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the discharge wire from the system by eliminating the need for a separate wire connection. Instead, the robot's legs themselves serve as the discharge path, with conductive members integrated into the leg structure and foot members that contact the ground to provide the discharge function without requiring external wiring
Solution Approach 2:
The robot legs are given a dual function: they serve both as mechanical support for movement and as electrostatic discharge pathways. The conductive members and foot members enable the legs to discharge static electricity while maintaining their primary function of supporting the robot body during locomotion
2Reliability
If the robot components are made electrically conductive for discharge, then electrostatic discharge is enabled, but the robot may become electrostatically charged due to friction with ground or wind
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by ensuring continuous electrostatic discharge capability through the conductive leg structure before significant charge accumulation can occur. The synchronized movement of legs ensures that discharge pathways are continuously maintained, preventing the buildup of harmful electrostatic charges that could lead to explosions in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous electrostatic discharge by designing the leg structure with conductive members that maintain electrical connection throughout the walking cycle. The synchronized movement of legs ensures that at least one conductive foot member is always in contact with or near the ground, providing continuous discharge capability rather than intermittent discharge
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 effectively maintains the robot components at ground potential, preventing uncontrolled electrostatic charging and potential explosions by ensuring continuous discharge through synchronized leg movements.
Implementation Method 1
The first electrostatic discharge assembly is adapted to electrostatically discharge the first robot component via the first electrostatic discharge contact to the first electrostatic discharge member to the first electrostatic discharge foot and to the ground
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention refers to a legged robot (1001) comprising a first leg (1) and a second leg (2) adapted to walk the robot over a ground (g). The first leg (1) comprises a first electrostatic discharge assembly comprising: a first electrostatic discharge contact (13) connected to a first electrostatic chargeable robot component (100), a first electrostatic discharge member (12) extending along the first leg (1), and a first electrostatic discharge foot (11). The first electrostatic discharge assembly is adapted to electrostatically discharge the first robot component (100) via the first electrostatic discharge contact (13) to the first electrostatic discharge member (12) to the first electrostatic discharge foot (11) and to the ground (g).