Solid-State Robot Bumper with Sensor Arrays for Impact Localization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot bumper systems are limited in detecting impact location, force, and direction due to mechanical complexity, weight, cost, and aesthetic issues, and fail to provide reliable and robust autonomous movement in diverse environments.
Innovation Solution
A robot bumper assembly with multiple sensor arrays positioned along the periphery of the bumper body, including membrane switches with conductive layers and a force transmission layer, allowing for precise detection of impacts and force absorption without mechanical seams or pinch points, enabling detection from various angles and forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid bumper with springs and pivots is used, then impact energy is absorbed, but mechanical complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-pivot bumper system with a solid-state sensor array integrated into the bumper shell. The sensor array uses electrical contacts and switching elements to detect impacts, eliminating the need for mechanical springs, pivots, and associated mounting hardware. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining impact detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a solid-state sensor array that can be integrated into the bumper shell structure itself, using flexible or thin-film sensor technologies. This allows the bumper to maintain its structural integrity and impact absorption while incorporating sensing capabilities directly into the shell, eliminating separate mechanical components.
2Device complexity
If carbon puck bumper structure is used, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but weight increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a solid-state sensor array that can be implemented as thin-film or flexible sensor elements integrated into the bumper shell. This approach maintains low weight while providing comprehensive impact detection, avoiding the heavy carbon puck structure.
3Device complexity
If two switches are used for impact detection, then detection zones are limited to three, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bumper surface into multiple sensor zones by integrating an array of sensors across the bumper shell. This segmentation allows detection of impact location, direction, and force distribution across multiple zones simultaneously, providing precise spatial resolution without requiring complex mechanical geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based switch detection to area-based sensor array detection, adding spatial dimensionality to impact detection. The sensor array can detect not only left/right impacts but also determine impact direction, force distribution, and contact points across the bumper surface, enabling detection of wedging situations and multi-directional forces.
4Reliability
If rigid bumper spaced away from chassis is used, then impact detection is enabled, but visual seams and pinch points are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bumper shell and sensor array into a single integrated solid-state structure. The sensor array is embedded within or on the surface of the bumper shell, eliminating the need for a spaced rigid bumper structure. This integration removes visual seams and pinch points while maintaining impact detection capability through the distributed sensor network.
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 solution provides enhanced impact detection capabilities, reduced mechanical complexity, improved aesthetics, and increased reliability for autonomous robot movement by allowing for precise localization of impact points and force measurement, while minimizing mechanical failure and debris accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor array may be pressure sensitive. Additionally or alternatively, the second sensor array may extend vertically along the height of the angled top portion of the bumper body.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot bumper assembly includes a bumper body, a first sensor array, and a second sensor array. The first sensor array is disposed along and contoured to the periphery of a forward facing portion of the bumper body and senses contact with an external environment at positions along the contour of the periphery forward facing portion of the bumper body. The second sensor array is disposed along and contoured to the periphery of a top portion of the forward facing portion of the robot body. The top portion is angled, ramping up. The second sensor array senses contact with an external environment at positions along the periphery of the angled top portion of the bumper body.