Mobile Robot With Adjustable Magnets and Mecanum Wheels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile robots face challenges in traversing diverse surfaces, including those with varying orientations and shapes, due to limitations in attachment mechanisms and directional movement capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The mobile robot employs magnets with adjustable orientation control structures for secure attachment to ferromagnetic surfaces and omni-directional wheels for versatile movement, allowing it to adapt to different surface shapes and orientations without direct contact, ensuring stability and precise direction changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional attachment mechanisms are used, then the robot can be attached to surfaces, but it cannot adapt to varying surface orientations and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface adaptation capabilityVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs adjustable orientation control structures that allow the robot to dynamically adapt its attachment orientation to match varying surface orientations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables reliable attachment across different surface orientations while maintaining adaptability, resolving the contradiction between fixed attachment mechanisms and variable surface conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robot is divided into multiple adjustable modules including orientation control structures and independently controllable wheels. This segmentation allows each module to be independently adjusted to adapt to specific surface conditions, enabling the robot to maintain reliable attachment while accommodating varying surface orientations and shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional wheels with steering mechanisms are used, then the robot has limited directional movement, but immediate and precise directional control is achieved with omni-directional wheels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional control precisionVSAvoidwheel control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical steering mechanisms with electronically controlled omni-directional wheels. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages and steering assemblies, achieving immediate and precise directional control through electronic control while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Each omni-directional wheel is capable of independent control and can perform multiple functions including propulsion, steering, and positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate steering mechanisms, achieving precise directional control while simplifying the overall wheel control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If magnets are positioned close to surfaces for strong attachment, then the robot holds securely, but the robot's profile and clearance are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic holding forceVSAvoidrobot profile dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions magnets asymmetrically at the outer ends of the robot where they can generate strong magnetic holding force while minimizing their impact on the robot's overall profile. This asymmetric positioning allows the magnets to be externally offset from component units, achieving secure attachment without significantly increasing the robot's clearance dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 enables the robot to maintain contact and stability on irregular surfaces while providing immediate and precise directional control, enhancing its versatility and payload capacity across various environments.

Implementation Method 1

the field strengths of the magnets are sufficient to hold the robot and its payload against the surfaces without risk of falling therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9168786B2Mobile robot

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 HELICAL ROBOTICS

AI summary

A mobile robot configured to be widely versatile in its use. For example, the mobile robot can be configured for being used on a wide assortment of surfaces, regardless of the orientation and/or shape of the surfaces. Alternatively or in combination, the mobile robot can be configured for effective and efficient movement on the surfaces it traverses. In some cases, the mobile robot is configured with two or more component units. In some cases, the component units are configured with magnets and a control system for orientating the magnets. In some cases, one or more component couplings join the component units. In some cases, the mobile unit is configured with Mecanum wheels.