Robotic Work Tool Support Pillars Prevent Body Roll

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic work tools with three or centrally located fixation points face stability issues due to rolling or tilting during operation, affecting lift and collision detection, and existing solutions like widening fixation points or over-tightening are either space-consuming or damaging.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating support pillars on the chassis and body that bridge the distance between them, preventing roll or tilt by physically stopping vertical movement, while allowing for some movement and easier mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If three fixation points are used to attach the body to the chassis, then the design and assembly are easier, but the body rolls or tilts during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of design and assemblyVSAvoidbody stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple independent support pillars distributed at different locations (front and rear) between the chassis and body. This segmentation provides stable support while maintaining simple fixation points, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and body stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the centrally located fixation point is made wider to give more support, then stability improves, but space is consumed and design becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation point supportVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of widening the fixation point horizontally (same dimension), the solution adds vertical support elements (support pillars) in the vertical dimension between chassis and body. This provides additional support without increasing horizontal footprint or complicating the fixation point design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If fixation points are located far from the body side, then fewer fixation points are needed, but the weight of the extending body portion affects rigidity and causes movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of fixation pointsVSAvoidbody rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support pillars act as counterbalancing elements that compensate for the destabilizing effect of body portions extending far from fixation points. By providing vertical support at strategic locations, they counteract the tendency of extended body portions to compromise rigidity and cause unwanted movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Stability of the object's composition

If fixation points are tightened harder to prevent movement, then stability improves, but stress is induced to the body which may lead to damage upon impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody stabilityVSAvoidbody strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support pillars provide beforehand cushioning by distributing mechanical loads and reducing stress concentrations at the fixation points. This prevents excessive stress from being induced to the body during normal operation and upon impact, while still maintaining adequate stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10440879B2Robotic work tool

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100), said robotic work tool (100) comprising a chassis (140B) and a body (140A) and at least one support pillar (310) arranged on one of the chassis (140B) and the body (140A) and a corresponding support surface (320) arranged on the other of the chassis (140B) and the body (140A), wherein the support pillar substantially bridges a distance between the chassis (140B) and the body (140A) thereby impairing any roll or tilt of the body (140A) relative the chassis (140B).