Robot Transport Box Hinge Mechanism for Automatic Ramp Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport and landing cases for terrestrial robots require manual operator intervention to stop the opening of the leaf ramp at the right moment, leading to potential unnecessary winch unwinding and operational complexities due to ground irregularities and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A trunk with a fixed frame and articulated leaf featuring a rigid actuator with a fixed length, secured by a horizontal pivot axis through an oblong hole that maintains the leaf in a closed position and allows for angular freedom in the open position, eliminating the need for manual stopping control during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operator control is used to stop the door opening, then the opening can be controlled to stop at the right moment, but the operator must continuously monitor and control the opening process which increases operational complexity and risk of error
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening system performs the stopping function automatically without requiring continuous operator intervention. The oblong hole mechanism allows the door to self-regulate its opening position, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and control during the opening process.
Solution Approach 2:
The oblong hole acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the actuator and the door. It provides a degree of freedom that allows the door to pivot and stop automatically at the appropriate position, mediating the transfer of motion from the actuator to the door while enabling automatic position control.
2Ease of operation
If the door opening is allowed to continue without manual stopping, then operator monitoring is reduced, but the winch may unwind unnecessarily causing energy loss and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical design of the oblong hole enables the door to automatically stop at the correct position during opening, preventing unnecessary continued movement and winch unwinding. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates energy waste by ensuring the door stops exactly when needed without operator intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If the door hinge is fixed with a standard hole, then the door position is precisely controlled, but the door cannot adapt to ground irregularities and obstacles which vary the required opening angle
Solution Approach 1:
The oblong hole transforms the rigid fixed-position hinge into a dynamic system. The door can adapt its pivot position within the oblong hole according to ground conditions and obstacles, allowing the opening angle to vary while maintaining secure attachment. This dynamic capability enables the door to accommodate different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The oblong hole geometry allows changes in the door's pivot parameters (position and angle) depending on operational requirements. When the door is closed, the hole is horizontal providing stable support; when open, it becomes substantially vertical allowing angular variation to adapt to ground irregularities and obstacles.
4Device complexity
If the actuator is made with fixed length or stroke, then the structure is simpler and more reliable, but the door cannot be stopped at variable positions to accommodate different ground conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of a fixed-stroke actuator with an oblong hole creates a dynamic system. The actuator provides simple, reliable fixed-length motion while the oblong hole allows the door to achieve variable positioning by pivoting within the elongated aperture, combining structural simplicity with operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The oblong hole introduces an additional degree of freedom in a different dimension. Instead of making the actuator itself variable in length, the solution adds angular freedom through the oblong hole geometry, allowing the door to adapt its position while the actuator maintains its simple fixed-stroke design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a box (10) intended for the unloading of robots (105), box (10) comprising a fixed part (1) articulated relative to a leaf (2) around a hinge (9), leaf (2) being able to be put in an open position so that a panel (3) which constitutes it serves as a landing ramp (3) for the robot (105), box (10) characterized in that it comprises a rigid actuator (5) attached to the fixed part (1) by a first end and attached to the leaf (2) by a second end, one of the ends comprising a pivot axis (7) passing through an oblong hole (8) which is attached to the leaf (2) and which is oriented horizontally when the leaf (2) is closed and substantially vertically when the leaf (2) is open, the oblong hole (8) thus ensuring the retention of the leaf (2) when it is in the closed position and giving a degree of freedom in pivoting of the leaf (2) when it is in the open position.