Spherical Robot Display Mechanism for Low Battery Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robots, particularly those without arms or legs, struggle to notify users of their battery charge state without displaying this information on their surface, making it difficult for users to distinguish between low battery and malfunctioning conditions.
Innovation Solution
A spherical robot with a display unit attached to a shaft, featuring a first and second spherical cap that rotate to express the charge state by moving vertically, indicating low power through facial expressions like being out of breath or sleepy, without displaying charge levels directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the robot displays battery charge state information on its surface, then users can easily detect the charge state, but the robot loses its aesthetic appearance and facial expression capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the display unit coupled to the shaft) that translates internal battery charge state into external visible movements. The display unit acts as a mediator between the battery status and the user, conveying information through facial expressions rather than direct surface displays, thus preserving aesthetic appearance while maintaining information communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic display mechanisms with a mechanical expression system. Instead of using screens or LEDs to show battery status, the system uses the mechanical coupling between the shaft and display unit to physically move facial features, substituting electronic information display with mechanical motion-based communication.
2Device complexity
If the robot uses a single driving mechanism for both rotation and display, then device complexity is reduced, but the robot cannot independently control main casing rotation and display unit movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving system into two independent mechanisms: a first driving mechanism for rotating the main casing and a second driving mechanism for moving the display unit. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system independence and control versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support linking the spherical caps and as a display unit coupling mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components while maintaining independent control capabilities through the dual driving mechanism setup.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the robot moves the display unit reciprocally to indicate low battery, then power consumption is minimized compared to continuous movement, but the indication may be less noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic reciprocating movement of the display unit to indicate low battery status. Instead of continuous movement that would consume more power, the system uses intermittent back-and-forth motion that is energy-efficient while still being visually detectable by users, thus balancing power consumption with information communication effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes a main casing, a first spherical cap and a second spherical cap, and a shaft linking the spherical caps. The robot further includes a display, a first driving mechanism causing the first and second spherical caps to be rotated by the shaft, and a second driving mechanism that causes the main casing to be rotated. The robot also includes a control circuit and an electric power source, charged by electric power from an external charger. If the remaining electric power of the electric power source is lower than or equal to a predetermined value, the second driving mechanism is controlled to stop rotation of the main casing, and the first driving mechanism is controlled to switch a rotational direction of the first spherical cap and the second spherical cap, causing the display to be reciprocally moved in a vertical direction.