Robot Bumper Sensor Layout for Multi-Directional Impact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moving robots require a large number of impact sensors to sense impacts in multiple directions, which increases the size and cost of the robot structure.
Innovation Solution
A moving robot design featuring impact sensors placed at an angle with bent pressure parts that apply pressure to the sensors, allowing for impact sensing in multiple directions using a small number of sensors, along with a movement guide part that restricts bumper movement and includes kite-shaped guide holes to vary pressure application based on impact direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If one impact sensor is provided for each direction to sense impact acting in each direction, then impact sensing accuracy in multiple directions is improved, but the number of sensors increases proportionally to the number of directions, which increases moving robot structure size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
A single impact sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting impacts from different directions through a lever mechanism. The lever can rotate and be pushed by pressure parts from various directions, allowing one sensor to replace multiple directional sensors, thus reducing the total number of sensors while maintaining impact sensing accuracy across multiple directions
Solution Approach 2:
The impact sensor uses a lever that rotates in a circular path, adding a rotational dimension to the detection mechanism. This allows the sensor to detect impacts from multiple directions by capturing the lever's rotational movement, effectively converting multi-directional linear impacts into rotational motion that a single sensor can measure
2Reliability
If the bumper is allowed to move freely to sense impact, then impact sensing capability is improved, but excessive bumper movement may cause damage to the moving robot
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a guide mechanism with defined movement boundaries for the bumper. This guide structure prevents excessive movement before it can occur, cushioning the bumper within safe limits while still allowing sufficient movement to detect impacts. The guide holes and protruding guides create a predetermined path that protects the robot structure from damage
Solution Approach 2:
The guide mechanism changes the movement parameters of the bumper by constraining it to a specific path and range. Instead of allowing free movement in all directions, the guide holes and protruding guides modify the bumper's degrees of freedom, permitting movement only within safe boundaries that enable impact sensing without risking structural damage
Data Source
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AI summary
A moving robot is provided. The moving robot includes: a main body forming the exterior appearance; a moving means for moving the main body; a bumper configured to protrude on the outer perimeter of the main body; impact sensors placed at an angle on the main body to sense the movement of the bumper; and pressure parts formed in a bent shape at the end of the impact sensors.