Robot Segmentation and Dimensionality Change for Compact Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robots are not suitable for environments where people are active, such as residences and other facilities, and are limited in their ability to take over various manual tasks beyond simple transportation.
Innovation Solution
A robot with a compact footprint, equipped with an elevating mechanism, a table, and a multi-degree-of-freedom arm capable of accessing objects, along with sensors and a controller that enables autonomous movement and task execution based on external instructions and sensor data, allowing it to perform a variety of tasks in dynamic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot is designed with a large footprint to accommodate various manual tasks, then the robot can perform diverse tasks, but it cannot enter environments where people are active
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is divided into a main body with footprint of 110cm or less and a separate arm that can extend beyond the circumscribed space. This segmentation allows the compact body to enter human environments while the extendable arm provides the necessary reach for various manual tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm is designed to extend in the vertical dimension beyond the circumscribed space height, allowing the robot to access objects at different heights without increasing the horizontal footprint. This dimensional extension enables task versatility while maintaining compact ground area.
2Productivity
If the robot is designed for transporting goods in factories and warehouses, then it can move packages at various heights, but it is not suitable for taking over manual tasks in active environments
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed with multi-functionality to perform both package transport and manual tasks in active environments. The circumscribed space configuration with extendable arm enables the same robot to handle diverse tasks including object manipulation, table operation, and interaction with human environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm is made longer to access objects outside the circumscribed space, then the robot can perform tasks beyond its body envelope, but the robot becomes less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The robot structure is segmented into a stable main body (circumscribed space) and a separate extendable arm. The main body maintains structural stability for support and movement, while the arm provides extendable reach for task execution, isolating the stability function from the reach function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevating mechanism pre-positions the arm base at appropriate heights before arm extension, ensuring the robot maintains stable contact with the table surface. This preliminary positioning action stabilizes the robot before it extends the arm to access objects outside the circumscribed space.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes: a moving mechanism; an elevating mechanism including columnar members; a table which is configured to be elevated and lowered by the elevating mechanism; an arm base which is configured to be elevated and lowered by the elevating mechanism; an arm which is attached to the arm base; a sensor which is configured to detect an object placed on the table and the surrounding area of the robot; and a controller. A circumscribed space circumscribing the robot except for the arm is in the shape of a cuboid having a bottom face that is a face of a quadrilateral that circumscribes, in a top view, the shape of the robot except for the arm. The arm has a structure capable of accessing the outside of the circumscribed space.