Robotic Vehicle Dynamic Range Actuators for Hazardous Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote-controlled robotic systems lack adaptability and capability to handle the diverse and often hazardous tasks required by Hazardous/First Response/Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, necessitating tools that provide both robustness and surgical precision.
Innovation Solution
A robotic vehicle equipped with a chassis, electric power source, and multiple drive assemblies, each featuring a track and drive control module with a motor, controller, and amplifier commutator capable of delivering both amplified and reduced voltage, along with magnetic field sensors and rotary position sensors for precise control, allowing for adaptable operation in various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote controlled systems are used for hazardous tasks, then operators can perform first responder missions, but the systems lack adaptability and surgical precision
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system implements dynamic adaptability through programmable control that allows operators to adjust system behavior and response characteristics in real-time based on mission requirements. The control system can dynamically modify operational parameters to achieve both robustness for hazardous environments and surgical precision for delicate tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes by allowing operators to programmatically adjust control parameters, sensitivity thresholds, and actuator characteristics. This enables the same robotic platform to adapt between different operational modes - from robust hazard response to precision manipulation - by modifying control parameters rather than physical hardware.
2Strength
If tools are made robust for hazardous environments, then they can handle dangerous tasks, but they lack surgical precision when required
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system dynamically adjusts its operational characteristics based on task requirements. The control system can switch between robust operation modes for hazardous environment navigation and precision control modes for delicate manipulations, allowing the same physical platform to exhibit both strength and surgical precision as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic platform is designed as a universal system capable of performing multiple functions - from robust hazardous material handling to precision surgical-like operations. Through programmable control and adaptable actuators, a single platform replaces multiple specialized tools, achieving both robustness and precision through software-controlled functionality rather than hardware specialization.
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 robotic vehicle enables safe and precise performance of high-risk functions such as explosive ordnance disposal and surveillance by providing a robust, adaptable, and surgically precise platform that can operate in diverse environments and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The amplifier commutator is capable of delivering both amplified and reduced voltage (or power) to the drive motor from the power source
Implementation Method 2
multiple magnetic field sensors mounted radially about to the motor to detect magnetic pulses
Implementation Method 3
a DC/DC converter capable of delivering both amplified and reduced voltage (or power) to the commutator
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic vehicle including a chassis having front and rear ends, an electric power source supported by the chassis, and multiple drive assemblies supporting the chassis. Each drive assembly including a track trained about a corresponding drive wheel and a drive control module. The drive control module including a drive control housing, a drive motor carried by the drive control housing and operable to drive the track, and a drive motor controller in communication with the drive motor. The drive motor controller including a motor controller logic circuit and an amplifier commutator in communication with the drive motor and the motor controller logic circuit and is capable of delivering both amplified and reduced voltage to the drive motor from the power source. In one instance, the drive control module is separately and independently removable from a receptacle of the chassis as a complete unit.