Humanoid Robot Waist Rotation Assembly for Human-Like Twisting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional humanoid robots lack an effective waist structure that can realistically mimic human waist twisting motion, which is essential for natural and efficient movement.

Innovation Solution

A waist rotation assembly comprising a support assembly fixed in the chest, a servo mounted to the support assembly, and a rotating member fixed to the waist, allowing the chest to rotate relative to the waist, mimicking human waist twisting by using a profile shaft connection and limiting mechanisms for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a servo is added at the waist to drive rotation, then the robot can achieve waist twisting motion, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaist twisting capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the servo motor, rotating member, and limiting mechanism into an integrated waist assembly. The servo is mounted directly to the support assembly which is fixed in the chest, and the rotating member is fixed to the waist, merging multiple components into a compact unit that achieves waist twisting without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waist assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a support assembly fixed in the chest, a servo mounted to the support assembly, and a rotating member fixed to the waist. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If a profile shaft connection with limiting mechanisms is used, then the waist rotation precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaist rotation precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a profile shaft as an intermediary component between the servo and the rotating member. The profile shaft connection with limiting mechanisms serves as a mediator that transmits rotational motion with precise control, achieving accurate waist rotation while maintaining reasonable manufacturability through standardized mechanical interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the chest rotates relative to the waist to imitate human motion, then the movement realism is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement realismVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the waist relative to the chest, the patent inverts the approach by having the chest rotate relative to the waist. The support assembly is fixed in the chest while the rotating member is fixed to the waist, allowing the chest to rotate relative to the waist and imitate human waist twisting motion with simpler mechanics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10888993B2Assembly for driving waist of robot and robot having the same

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD

AI summary

An assembly for driving a waist of a humanoid robot to rotate with respect to a chest of the humanoid robot includes a support assembly fixed in the chest, a servo mounted to the support assembly, and a rotating member fixed to the waist and rotatable when driven by the servo.