Tethered Emergency Stop Flag for Autonomous Mobile Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop systems for autonomous mobile robots, such as those used in agriculture, are difficult for users to actuate quickly and safely, especially when the robot malfunctions and moves unpredictably, as a push button stop feature can be hard to reach and operate during hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
An emergency stop system with a base unit and a movable flag or element that can be easily engaged by a user, where the base unit includes a sensor mechanism to detect the flag's position and trigger a stop when moved out of the operation mode, allowing for immediate shutdown of the robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push button stop feature is used for emergency stop, then the robot can be stopped, but it is hard to reach and operate during hazardous conditions when the robot moves unpredictably
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency stop activation function is extracted from the robot body and placed on a separate tethered element (flag or cord) that extends outward from the base unit. This allows the user to activate emergency stop from a safe distance without needing to reach the robot, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability during hazardous conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A tethered element (flag or cord) serves as an intermediary between the user and the robot's emergency stop system. The element transmits the user's pulling action to the base unit's sensor mechanism, enabling remote activation without direct contact with the robot, thus improving both ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the emergency stop element extends from the base unit, then it can be easily engaged by the user, but it requires additional components and mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical sensor mechanism in the base unit detects the presence or position of the tethered element using non-contact methods (such as optical sensors, magnetic sensors, or capacitive sensors) rather than complex mechanical switches. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit's sensor mechanism is designed to detect multiple types of tethered elements (flags, cords, or other pullable objects) using a single detection system. This universal detection approach reduces overall system complexity by avoiding the need for different mechanisms for different element types.
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency stop system for an autonomous mobile robot includes a base unit connected to the robot and an element engageable by a user extending from the base unit. The element is movably held by the base unit in an operation mode position. The base unit includes a mechanism for detecting the presence of the element in the operation mode position and triggering an emergency stop of the robot when the element is moved out of the operation mode position by the user.