Modular Robot Contact Arrays for Circuit-Free Module Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular robots face increased manufacturing costs and size due to the need for communication circuits to establish communication with other robots for coupling and functionality expansion.
Innovation Solution
A modular robot design that uses a contact array of electrodes to detect and identify module devices without establishing communication, allowing for coupling and functionality expansion without a communication circuit, utilizing a processor to control the connection and driving devices based on contact patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication circuits are provided to establish communication with other robots for coupling and functionality expansion, then the robot can determine coupling status and expand functionality, but the manufacturing cost and size of the robot increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the coupling detection process. Instead of using communication circuits to determine coupling status, the system uses only magnetic contact detection through contact arrays. The communication capability is removed from the coupling determination mechanism, allowing robots to detect coupling through magnetic fields alone while maintaining functionality expansion through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic communication system with a magnetic field-based detection system. Contact arrays with electrodes generate magnetic fields that interact when modules couple, providing coupling status information without requiring communication circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for complex communication hardware while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to coupling events.
2Reliability
If communication circuits are provided to establish communication with other robots, then the robot can identify and control coupled modules, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs contact arrays with electrodes that generate magnetic fields as a low-cost alternative to communication circuits. These magnetic contact arrays are simpler and cheaper to manufacture while providing sufficient information for module identification and coupling detection, reducing the overall manufacturing cost of the robotic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive communication circuitry with a magnetic field-based contact detection system. The contact arrays use magnetic field interaction to identify coupled modules, providing reliable module identification at a lower manufacturing cost compared to traditional communication-based approaches.
3Loss of information
If communication circuits are provided to establish communication with other robots for coupling detection, then the robot can determine coupling status, but the size of the robot increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coupling status detection function from the communication system and implements it through magnetic contact arrays alone. By removing the communication circuit requirement for coupling detection, the robot size is reduced while maintaining the ability to obtain coupling status information through magnetic field interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the space-consuming communication circuits with compact magnetic contact arrays. The contact arrays generate and detect magnetic fields to determine coupling status, providing the necessary information without the bulk of communication hardware, thereby reducing the overall robot size.
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 coupling and identification of module devices without communication circuits, reducing manufacturing costs and size while maintaining functional expansion capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a contact array composed of a plurality of electrodes which provide a magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A modular robot can include a first connection device including a first contact array composed of at least one electrode; a driving device configured to implement movement of the modular robot; and a processor configured to control the first connection device and the driving device, detect fastening of the first connection device with a second connection device of a module device, the second connection device including a second contact array composed of at least one electrode, and in response to identifying the module device based on a contact pattern formed based on the first contact array being in contact with the second contact array, activate at least one of a function of the driving device or a function of the module device.