Robot Linking Extension for Coordinated Heavy Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing and building robots that can efficiently lift and move large or heavy objects is challenging due to the complexity and cost associated with such tasks, especially when automation is required in various environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of robots with a linking extension that allows multiple robots to be linked together, enabling coordinated movement and grasping of objects through a pivot member, mobility subsystem, and robotic arm, which minimizes complexity and cost by allowing robots to work together to handle heavy or large objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single robot is designed to lift and move large or heavy objects, then the robot must have high strength and power, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lifting task among multiple robots instead of requiring one robot to handle the entire load. Each robot contributes a portion of the lifting force, allowing individual robots to have simpler structures while collectively achieving high lifting capacity. The linking extension segments the connection between robots, enabling modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple robots are combined through linking extensions to work as a coordinated team. The merging of multiple robotic systems allows the team to collectively lift and move objects that would be too heavy or large for a single robot, while each individual robot maintains a simpler design.
2Force
If a single robot is designed to lift and move large or heavy objects, then the robot must have high strength and power, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the lifting function across multiple standard robots rather than manufacturing one specialized heavy-duty robot. This allows use of off-the-shelf robotic components, reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the required lifting capacity through coordinated effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking extension mechanism provides universal functionality that can connect various robot types and configurations. This multi-functional approach allows the same linking mechanism to be used across different robot models, reducing overall system cost and improving ease of manufacture.
3Force
If multiple robots are linked together to perform coordinated tasks, then the ability to handle heavy objects improves, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control subsystems of linked robots communicate and coordinate their movements through feedback mechanisms. Each robot monitors its own position and force contribution, adjusting its actions based on feedback from other linked robots to maintain synchronized operation and balanced load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The control systems of multiple robots are merged into a coordinated operation where robots work as a unified team. The linking extension physically connects the robots, and the control systems logically connect them through communication protocols, enabling synchronized movement and force application.
4Ease of operation
If robots are designed with linking extensions for autonomous linking, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linking extension mechanism enables robots to autonomously connect and disconnect from each other without human intervention. The distal end of one robot's linking extension automatically couples with the coupling member of another robot, and can be easily released when needed, providing self-service linking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking extension incorporates rotational freedom at the proximal end, allowing the connection to dynamically adapt to different robot positions and orientations. This dynamic capability enables autonomous linking while maintaining operational flexibility, as the linking mechanism can accommodate movement and positioning variations automatically.
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
This solution enables robots to securely grasp and lift heavy or large objects by coordinating the movement of multiple robots, reducing the complexity and cost of individual robot design and allowing for autonomous linking and unlinking, thus enhancing their ability to handle diverse tasks in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a proximal end that is rotatably coupled to the pivot member of the body of the robot
Data Source
AI summary
A robot may include (1) a body having a pivot member, (2) a mobility subsystem, coupled to the body of the robot, that provides omnidirectional displacement of the robot along a plane, (3) a robotic arm, coupled to the body of the robot, for manipulating an object, and (4) a linking extension. The linking extension may include (1) a proximal end that is rotatably coupled to the pivot member of the body of the robot, and (2) a distal end that is dimensioned to rotatably couple to a coupling member of an assistant robot such that the linking extension links the robot and the assistant robot. The robot may also include a control subsystem, communicatively coupled to the mobility subsystem, that coordinates displacement of the robot by the mobility subsystem with displacement of the assistant robot. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.