Flexible Robot Signaling Mast for Low-Height Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile robots, particularly those of low height, are difficult to notice by other traffic participants, posing safety risks and requiring improved visibility solutions that do not compromise their usability or safety.
Innovation Solution
A signaling device with a flexible base section, elongated member, and light-emitting devices to increase visibility, salience, and conspicuity, featuring a 3-dimensional structure with display areas and LEDs that can bend to avoid collisions and adapt to different environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the mobile robot is made of low height, then it can navigate through narrow spaces and avoid obstacles, but it becomes difficult to notice by other traffic participants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies light-emitting devices (LEDs) that emit visible light in different colors to enhance the robot's visibility. The signaling section includes multiple LEDs arranged to create visible patterns and messages, making the low-profile robot noticeable to pedestrians and other traffic participants without requiring increased height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical dimension (height) to horizontal/planar dimension by creating a 3-dimensional light structure that extends outward from the robot body. The signaling section with multiple LEDs arranged in space creates a volumetric light display that increases visibility without adding vertical height.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a signaling device is added to increase visibility, then the robot becomes more noticeable, but the device may collide with obstacles and decrease usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the signaling device dynamically adjustable by enabling rotation of the elongated member and signaling section around the vertical axis. The robot can rotate the signaling section to point in different directions, adapt to surrounding obstacles, and maintain visibility while navigating through various environments, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility and usability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the signaling device structure is made rigid, then it maintains stable visibility, but it cannot adapt to different environments and may cause collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates rotational joints that allow the elongated member and signaling section to rotate independently around the vertical axis. This dynamic capability enables the rigid signaling structure to adapt its orientation to different environments and obstacles while maintaining its structural integrity and visibility function.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling device is divided into separable components: the base section, elongated member, and signaling section. Each component can rotate independently, allowing the system to adapt to environmental constraints while maintaining the overall structural stability needed for effective signaling.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If light-emitting devices are arranged in a 3-dimensional structure, then visibility and salience are increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components into a unified signaling device: the elongated member serves both as a structural support and as part of the signaling structure, while the signaling section combines multiple LEDs, rotation mechanisms, and control systems into a single modular unit that can be attached to the robot body.
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
Enhances the visibility and safety of mobile robots by making them more noticeable to pedestrians and automated systems, while minimizing collision risks and maintaining usability in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light-emitting device LED(s) or HD LED(s) in or at one of a signaling section and/or an elongated member
Implementation Method 2
a base section comprising a flexible component configured to bend when an external force acts on the signaling device
Data Source
AI summary
A signaling device for increasing visibility of a mobile robot. The signaling device comprises (a) a base section, attached with a rotational joint to a side of the mobile robot, the rotational joint allowing the device to rotate clockwise and/or anticlockwise relative to the mobile robot, the rotational joint constructed and adapted to return the device to an equilibrium position; and (b) a body section comprising a mast, the body section flexibly attached to the base section at a lower extreme of the body section.