Packable Robot with Foldable Arm and Integrated Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground robots are either too heavy and large to fit in a soldier's backpack or too small and non-maneuverable, lacking the ability to effectively navigate through complex terrain such as buildings and stairs.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, compact, remotely controlled ground robot with a chassis, main tracks, and rotatable flipper arms, featuring an integrated concentric drive assembly and foldable robot arm and camera assembly, designed for independent operation and easy transport, allowing for enhanced mobility and obstacle navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot is made larger and heavier to improve maneuverability and climbing capability, then it can navigate complex terrain better, but it cannot fit in a soldier's backpack
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is divided into modular components including a chassis, foldable arm assembly, camera assembly, and tracked drive system. These segments can be folded together in a compact configuration for backpack transport, then deployed to full operational size for terrain navigation and stair climbing
Solution Approach 2:
The robot employs dynamically adjustable components including foldable arm and camera assemblies, and rotatable flipper arms that can change the robot's profile and center of gravity. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the robot to transition between compact transport mode and extended operational mode with enhanced maneuverability
2Weight of moving object
If the robot is made smaller and lighter to fit in a backpack, then it is easier to transport, but it loses the ability to climb stairs and navigate complex terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly and robot arm nest within the open channel underneath the robot chassis when not in use. This nesting arrangement minimizes the robot's overall profile for compact backpack transport while maintaining full functionality when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The robot utilizes vertical dimension through foldable arm and camera assemblies that extend upward from the chassis, and rotatable flipper arms that provide vertical lifting capability. This dimensional exploitation allows compact horizontal footprint for transport while achieving vertical reach for terrain navigation
3Volume of moving object
If the robot includes foldable arm and camera assemblies, then it achieves compact storage, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm assembly and camera assembly share a common foldable mounting structure and control system. Both assemblies fold along similar axes and integrate with the same chassis channel, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate independent mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable flipper arms serve multiple functions: they provide propulsion for movement, enable stair climbing through vertical lifting, and can be used for stabilization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms
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 robot is capable of being carried in a backpack, providing high mobility and the ability to climb stairs while maintaining a low weight and compact size, with advanced sensors and mission modules for dismounted forces, enhancing tactical operations in close quarters combat.
Implementation Method 1
A motor in a housing rotates the flipper. The right and left flippers arms can be independently driven.
Implementation Method 2
The stator and rotor disposed about the housing drives the main track and the flipper track. The stator is affixed about the housing and includes teeth with windings thereabout. The rotor preferably rotates about the housing and includes magnets therein.
Implementation Method 3
a slip clutch is attached to the flipper arm and is driven by the motor via a gear train
Data Source
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AI summary
A remotely controlled packable robot features a chassis, right and left main tracks for maneuvering the chassis, and right and left tracked rotatable flipper arms for maneuvering the chassis. An integrated drive assembly is provided for each main track and flipper pair and includes a motor in a housing attached to the chassis for rotating the flipper and a stator and rotor disposed about the motor housing for driving the main track and the flipper track.