One-Touch Robot Foot Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot feet are inconvenient and time-consuming to couple and decouple, requiring users to bend forward and use complex buckles, which complicates emergency decoupling and increases the risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A one-touch coupling/decoupling apparatus featuring a work shoe with a coupler and a robot foot module equipped with latches, push parts, and elastic members, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling without bending, using magnetic connecting members and lever mechanisms to secure and release the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional buckles are used to secure the robot foot, then the connection is secure, but the coupling and decoupling process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple latches distributed around the robot foot module, each independently engaging with the coupler. This segmentation allows for rapid engagement of multiple points simultaneously while maintaining secure connection, resolving the contradiction between connection security and coupling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex buckle mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler latch-coupler system. The latches are spring-loaded to automatically engage with the coupler, eliminating the need for manual buckling operations and significantly reducing coupling time while maintaining reliable connection.
2Reliability
If conventional buckles are used, then the robot foot can be secured, but the decoupling process requires bending forward and precise control which increases injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling mechanism is inverted from the conventional approach: instead of requiring the user to actively manipulate buckles, the latches are designed to automatically release when a simple rotational motion is applied to the robot foot module. This inversion makes decoupling safer and easier by eliminating the need for bending forward and precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system is designed to be self-actuating during decoupling. When the robot foot module is rotated, the latches automatically disengage from the coupler without requiring user intervention, making the system self-service and significantly improving ease of operation and safety.
3Loss of time
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then coupling is quick, but the connection strength may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latches are combined to work together with a single coupler, distributing the connection load across several engagement points. This merging of multiple simple latch mechanisms creates a collectively strong connection that maintains both speed and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler and latch engagement surfaces are designed with curved geometries that distribute contact forces evenly across the engagement interface. This spherical/curved design enhances the connection strength of each individual latch while maintaining the simplicity and speed of the latch mechanism.
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
Simplifies the coupling and decoupling process, enabling quick and safe separation of the robot foot in emergencies, reducing the time and effort required for both operations while ensuring user safety.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the fixtures may include first elastic members. The inclined face of the first fixing protrusion may slide along the inclined face of the second fixing protrusion so that bases of the first and second fixing protrusions are caught and fixed.
Implementation Method 2
the disk-shaped base may be coupled to the bottom of the robot foot module by a second elastic member, and return to an original state by an elastic force of the second elastic member even when the disk-shaped base is rotated.
Data Source
AI summary
A one-touch coupling/decoupling apparatus for a robot foot includes: a work shoe having a coupler protruding downwardly from a bottom of the work shoe; and a robot foot module coupled to the work shoe and having latches, each of which has one end formed in a hook shape so as to be coupled with the coupler.