Load-Sensing Tray Assembly for Stable Traveling Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving robots for daily use, such as serving robots, face challenges with complex assembly and disassembly, difficult maintenance, and inefficient space utilization, particularly when transporting food items that require easy handling and obstacle avoidance.
Innovation Solution
A driving robot design featuring a lower housing, frame assembly, tray frame, load cell, moving bracket, and tray holder with fastening holes, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and incorporating a load cell with an elastic body and strain gauge for weight sensing, along with a tray module and battery configuration for stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the robot uses a fixed and complex assembly structure for stability, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robot structure is divided into multiple detachable modules including a base module, tray module, and loading/unloading module. Each module can be independently removed and replaced, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly access and repair specific components without disassembling the entire robot, thus improving ease of repair while maintaining overall structural strength through modular connections.
2Volume of moving object
If the robot uses a compact and fixed mounting space configuration, then the space utilization is improved, but the ease of operation and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting space configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The tray module and loading/unloading module can be positioned at different locations and orientations on the base module, allowing the robot to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements. This dynamic arrangement optimizes space utilization while improving ease of operation and maintenance by enabling flexible reconfiguration.
3Ease of repair
If the robot uses a simple and detachable assembly structure, then the ease of repair is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into integrated modules that maintain strong structural connections. The tray module combines the tray, load cell, and support structure into a unified assembly, while the loading/unloading module integrates the mechanical arm and sensor system. These merged modules are designed with robust connection interfaces that ensure structural stability when assembled, while still allowing easy detachment for maintenance.
4Manufacturing precision
If the robot uses a fixed tray module position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base module is designed with universal mounting interfaces and adjustable positioning mechanisms that accommodate multiple tray module configurations. The same base module can support different tray module positions, orientations, and load capacities through adjustable fastening mechanisms, providing both manufacturing precision for each configuration and adaptability for different operational scenarios.
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 design enables stable travel with load cell sensing, easy tray module location adjustment, and improved maintenance convenience, ensuring reliable food transport and obstacle avoidance.
Implementation Method 1
The load cell may include an elastic body whose shape changes when pressurized
Implementation Method 2
a strain gauge that generates an electric signal based on the deformation of the elastic body
Data Source
AI summary
A traveling robot comprises: a lower housing; a frame assembly positioned inside the lower housing; a traveling unit position at the lower part of the frame assembly; a tray frame coupled to the upper part of the lower housing so as to extend upwardly; a load cell coupled to the tray frame; a moving bracket coupled to the upper part of the load cell; a tray holder coupled to the moving bracket and protruding through a fastening hole of the tray frame; and a tray module seated on the tray holder. By having the load cell, the traveling robot is capable of detecting whether an object placed on a tray is present or falling, toppling over, etc. and thus is capable of traveling in a stable manner.