Mobile Robot Bumper Assembly for Full-Perimeter Collision Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bumper assemblies for mobile robots are inadequate in sensing collisions, particularly broadside collisions, as sensors are often limited to specific areas, leading to incomplete obstacle detection.

Innovation Solution

A bumper assembly with a sliding member movable in front and rear directions, equipped with sensors to detect movement and rotation of a front plate, ensuring comprehensive collision sensing across the entire circumference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If sensors are disposed at a predetermined interval along the inner circumferential surface of the bumper, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of collision detection deteriorates because collisions in sensor gaps cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor arrangement complexityVSAvoidcollision detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper is designed to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the robot body, transforming a static sensor array into a dynamic detection system. When collision occurs, the bumper moves rearward, causing sensors to contact the robot body and generate detection signals, thereby detecting collisions without requiring sensors across the entire circumferential surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable bumper structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both a physical barrier and a detection mechanism. The single sensor positioned at the robot body detects both the magnitude and direction of collisions through the bumper's movement, eliminating the need for multiple sensors distributed around the bumper

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 accurate detection of both head-on and broadside collisions, eliminating blind spots and expanding the collision-sensing range to the entire region that may collide with obstacles.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic member which presses the sliding member in the front direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a first sensor which senses a movement of the sliding member when the sliding member moves in the rear direction at a predetermined distance or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 3

a second sensor which senses a rotation of the front plate when the front plate rotates at a predetermined angle or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9186800B2Bumper assembly of mobile robot

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 YUJIN ROBOT

AI summary

A bumper assembly of a mobile robot includes a sliding member which is installed to be movable in front and rear directions with respect to a robot body, a first elastic member which is coupled to the sliding member and presses the sliding member in the front direction, a first sensor which senses a movement of the sliding member when the sliding member moves in the rear direction, a front plate which is disposed at a front side of the sliding member, rotatably coupled to the sliding member, and moves integrally with the sliding member when the sliding member moves in the front and rear directions, and a second sensor which senses a rotation of the front plate when the front plate rotates.