Spring-Loaded Mobile Wheel Mechanism for Obstacle-Stable Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile robots face challenges when navigating different types of working surfaces, such as concrete, wood, and carpets, due to obstacles like height drops and protrusions, which can cause suspension, vibration, and damage to electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A mobile mechanism comprising a housing with a guide portion, a sliding seat, a moving wheel, a pressing portion, and a deformation portion, where the deformation portion, typically a spring, generates a force to keep the moving wheel in contact with the surface by lowering the sliding seat, ensuring maximum friction and obstacle avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the moving wheel is kept close to the working surface to maximize friction, then the robot can move effectively on various surfaces, but the robot will encounter obstacles like height drops and protrusions causing suspension and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic wheel assembly where the sliding seat can move along the guide portion between upper and lower positions. The pressing portion applies variable pressing force to the sliding seat, allowing the moving wheel to dynamically adjust its position and contact force with the working surface. This dynamic adjustment enables the robot to maintain effective friction on flat surfaces while automatically responding to obstacles by allowing the wheel to lift or the body to tilt, resolving the contradiction between continuous contact for mobility and interruption for obstacle handling.
2Force
If the moving wheel maintains constant contact with the working surface, then friction is maximized for movement, but obstacles cause the robot to suspend and vibrate affecting electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the pressing portion with elastic deformation capability that can preemptively apply pressing force to the sliding seat. When obstacles are detected or encountered, this mechanism allows the wheel assembly to prepare for impact by pre-loading the pressing force, cushioning the shock of obstacle contact through elastic deformation, and reducing the transmission of vibration and suspension forces to the robot's body and electronic components.
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
Enables mobile robots to effectively move on various surfaces by maintaining contact with the working surface, reducing the risk of suspension and vibration, and preventing damage to electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation portion mounted on the housing and connected with the pressing portion, exerting a force for moving the sliding seat towards the surface of the housing through the pressing portion when deformed
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile mechanism, a mobile robot having the mobile mechanism and a method for moving the mobile robot are disclosed. The mobile mechanism includes a housing in which a guide portion is provided, a sliding seat mounted on the guide portion and movable along the guide portion, a moving wheel fixed on the sliding seat and partially protruding beyond a surface of the housing, a pressing portion pressing against the sliding seat and moving the sliding seat toward the surface of the housing; and a deformation portion mounted on the housing and connected with the pressing portion, exerting a force for moving the sliding seat towards the surface of the housing through the pressing portion when deformed.