Robot Soft Skin with Variable Elasticity for Wrinkle-Free Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot outer skins cause unnatural wrinkles and impede movement when trying to fit closely with the robot's body, compromising both appearance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A robot design featuring a soft outer skin with increased elasticity regions between connected parts, allowing for relative displacement and maintaining a natural appearance while accommodating movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the outer skin is made to fit the robot's body closely, then the tactile sensation and natural appearance are improved, but the robot's movement is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The outer skin is designed with regions of different elasticity: high-elasticity regions at joints and connection parts allow for movement, while low-elasticity regions in flat areas maintain snug fit and natural appearance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both tight fit and movement freedom in appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer skin incorporates variable elasticity properties that dynamically adapt to robot movement. The high-elasticity regions enable the skin to stretch and deform during joint movements, while the low-elasticity regions maintain their form for aesthetic purposes, allowing the skin to dynamically respond to operational requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If the outer skin is made with uniform elasticity, then the manufacturing is simplified, but unnatural wrinkles occur during robot operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform elasticity, the outer skin employs local quality variation with high-elasticity regions positioned at joints and connection parts where deformation occurs during movement. This prevents wrinkle formation in these areas while maintaining manufacturability through modular material application or multi-layer construction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer skin uses high elasticity material throughout, then movement flexibility is improved, but the natural appearance and snug fit are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The outer skin strategically places high-elasticity material only in regions requiring flexibility (joints, connection parts), while using low-elasticity material in regions where natural appearance is critical (flat surfaces, visible areas). This local differentiation maintains both movement flexibility and aesthetic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer skin functions as a composite structure combining materials with different elasticity properties. This composite approach allows the skin to exhibit both snug fit characteristics and movement flexibility simultaneously in different regions, resolving the contradiction between appearance and adaptability.
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 a snug, natural-looking outer skin that enhances user interaction and movement flexibility without causing operational impediments.
Implementation Method 1
The outer skin includes a base material having elasticity. An increased elasticity region is provided between regions in contact with each of the first region and the second region in the base material, and has an elasticity greater than that of the regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot of one aspect includes a soft outer skin mounted so as to cover a first region (for example, a head portion) and a second region (for example, a trunk portion). The outer skin includes a base material having elasticity. Increased elasticity regions are provided between regions in contact with each of the first region and the second region in the base material (for example, between a head portion contact region and an abdominal portion contact region, or between the head portion contact region and a back portion contact region), and have an elasticity greater than that of the contact regions.