Scissor-Mechanism Robotic Bumper With Decreasing Impact Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic vehicle bumpers increase impact force as they compress, potentially causing significant damage to colliders, especially living beings, due to their design that does not adequately absorb and distribute impact forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A scissor mechanism-based bumper system that compresses with decreasing reversionary force, utilizing retraction springs and cams to absorb impacts and return to original state without increasing force against the collider, decoupling spring rate from mass and impact progression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional springs, hydraulics, or linear actuators are used in the bumper, then the bumper can absorb impact energy, but the reversionary force increases as the bumper is compressed, causing damage to the collider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional bumper behavior by designing the scissor mechanism to provide decreasing reversionary force as compression increases, rather than increasing force. This is achieved through the geometric configuration of the scissor links and cam mechanism, which convert the impact energy into controlled deformation while maintaining progressively lower reactive forces against the collider.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force-compression parameter relationship from linear/increasing (conventional springs) to non-linear/decreasing through the scissor mechanism geometry. The cam profile and linkages are specifically designed to modulate the spring rate dynamically, allowing the bumper to absorb energy while the reversionary force parameter decreases throughout the compression stroke.
2Strength
If a high spring constant is used in the bumper, then the bumper provides strong protection to the robotic device, but the force imparted to living beings is exacerbated due to the duplicative reversionary force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different force characteristics at different stages of compression. The bumper provides high protective force to the robotic device during initial impact through the scissor mechanism's structural support, but transitions to providing minimal reversionary force as compression progresses, thereby protecting the collider. The cam profile and linkage geometry create this spatially-varying force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates beforehand cushioning by designing the scissor mechanism with pre-configured cam profiles and linkage geometries that anticipate the impact progression. The mechanism is pre-engineered to provide decreasing reversionary force throughout the compression stroke, ensuring that living beings are protected from excessive forces before damage can occur.
3Device complexity
If the bumper uses conventional spring mechanisms, then the structure is simple, but the bumper cannot decouple spring rate from mass and impact progression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the effective spring rate variable throughout the compression stroke through the scissor mechanism and cam system. Unlike conventional fixed-spring-rate bumpers, this design allows the force-absorption characteristics to dynamically adapt to the impact progression, decoupling the spring rate from the vehicle mass and providing versatile protection across different impact scenarios.
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 scissor mechanism reduces impact force on colliders, particularly animate objects, by distributing force linearly and allowing the bumper to return to its original state, minimizing damage and enhancing safety in robotic interactions.
Implementation Method 1
the scissor members are capable of compressing the forward extension member toward the rear extension member with decreasing reversionary force
Implementation Method 2
The scissor member may further comprise at least one retraction spring capable of providing decompressing force to the scissor member after impact
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, system and method capable of providing a bumper capable of providing decreasing reversionary impact forces upon an impacting collider as the bumper is compressed. The apparatus, system and method may include at least a bumper cover; and a scissor mechanism housed within the bumper cover. The scissor mechanism may comprise a forward extension member proximal and having a parallel axis that is at least substantially parallel to a parallel tangential axis of the bumper cover; a rear extension member substantially parallel to the forward extension member, and distal from the flexible bumper; at least left and right long scissor members that are rotatably and slidably associated with respective slots in the forward extension member, and that, are rotatably associated with the rear extension member; and at least left and right short scissor members that are rotatably associated with the front extension member, and that are rotatably associated with a respective one of the left and right long scissor members.