Robotic Building Elements With Diagonally Magnetized Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building elements and interconnection systems for robotic toys and educational systems are insufficient to create robots that can extend their limbs to reach distances similar to industrial robots, as they lack strong interconnections and stability, often failing to support their own weight when attempting to do so.
Innovation Solution
The development of building elements with diagonally magnetized connectors that rotate due to magnetic repulsive forces, allowing for strong and flexible connections through magnetic attractive forces, along with radial engagement members and bearings, enabling robust and maneuverable constructions that can withstand significant bending forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If known building elements and interconnection means are used, then the system is intuitive to use and easy to assemble, but the interconnections are not strong enough to enable building of robots that can extend their limbs to reach industrial robot ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate parts: a first connector with diagonally magnetized magnets for strong magnetic attraction, and a second connector with engagement members (protrusions and recesses) for mechanical interlocking. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in one function - magnetic attraction for strength and mechanical engagement for ease of assembly - while together they provide both strong interconnection and user-friendly assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines magnetic attraction forces and mechanical engagement features into a unified connector system. The magnetic forces provide strong attractive force for maintaining connections, while the engagement members provide positive mechanical interlocking. This merging of two different connection mechanisms creates a connector that is both strong and easy to assemble.
2Length of moving object
If the building elements are configured to reach out to some range, then the robot can extend its limbs, but the structure can only carry barely its own weight
Solution Approach 1:
The diagonally magnetized magnets are pre-positioned in the first connector to create strong magnetic attraction forces before the building elements are assembled. This preliminary magnetic engagement ensures that when elements are connected, the magnetic forces are already in place to provide the necessary holding strength to support the weight of extended robotic limbs and prevent structural failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector system combines magnetic materials (magnets) with mechanical engagement features (protrusions and recesses) to create a composite connection structure. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve long reach distances through modular extension while maintaining load-bearing capacity through the combined magnetic and mechanical connection strengths.
3Ease of operation
If magnets are used for connection, then the connection is easy to make and break, but the connection strength is insufficient for robust robotic structures
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into magnetic attraction components (first connector with diagonally magnetized magnets) and mechanical interlocking components (second connector with engagement members). This segmentation allows the magnetic part to provide easy connection through attraction while the mechanical part provides strong, robust interlocking, combining both ease of operation and connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges magnetic attraction and mechanical engagement into a single connector system. The magnetic forces enable easy connection and disconnection, while the engagement members provide the additional mechanical strength needed for robust robotic structures. This combination maintains the ease of magnetic connection while adding the strength of mechanical interlocking.
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 robust and flexible interconnection system that allows for the creation of longer, more stable robotic structures with maneuverability, similar to industrial robots, while maintaining intuitive connection and disconnection, and reducing fragility, enabling building elements with varying diameters to form core and limb components effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the rotatably arranged diagonally magnetized magnets rotate by mutual magnetic repulsive force such that at least one of them rotate until they face each other in an angular position whereat magnetic attractive forces keeps the two first building elements connected
Implementation Method 2
magnetic attractive forces keeps the two first building elements connected
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
A set of building elements (900), comprising one or more building elements (101;701;901..907) with a housing (119) which is selected from a group of straight, bend, L-shaped, and T-shaped bodies with one or more end-portions (121); wherein the building elements are configured with at least one connector (103) configured as a plug integrated with or installed in at least some of the end-portions (121). The connectors (103) comprise: an abutment face (201) with a centre portion (202); a diagonally magnetized magnet arranged behind the abutment face (201); and a pair of a female engagement member (504) extending radially from the centre portion (202) and a male engagement member (503) extending from the centre portion (202); wherein a depth (D) of the female engagement member and a height (H) of the corresponding male engagement member is greater than a width (Wm) of the male engagement member or greater than a width (Wf) of the female engagement member. At least a first building element among the building elements (101;701) comprises at least a first one of the connectors (103); wherein the at least first one of the connectors (103) is rotatable mounted in a bearing (108) fixed to the first building element. A drive unit (114) is coupled to turn the first one of connectors (103) in response to a control signal and an energy storage unit (117) is coupled to supply operating power the drive unit. Preferably, the body members (119) are tubular or tubular with one or more branches.