Throwable Robot Chassis Layout for Shock Survival and Battery Swaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current throwable robots for military and police operations lack durability, robustness, and versatility, particularly in handling shocks, moisture, and payload mounting, with limited processing power and quick recharge capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A two-wheeled throwable robot design featuring a compartmentalized chassis with axial drive wheels, secure motor mounting, and modular components for enhanced structural strength, shock absorption, and increased volumetric capacity for payloads and batteries, along with onboard processing and imaging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the robot uses a traditional non-compartmentalized chassis design, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the robot lacks durability and shock absorption capability
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is divided into multiple compartments including a forward compartment, main compartment, and rear compartment, each with specific structural reinforcements. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its functional requirements while collectively providing enhanced durability and shock absorption throughout the robot body.
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis incorporates composite structural elements combining rigid materials for structural strength with energy-absorbing materials in impact zones. The forward compartment features a recessed design with energy-absorbing structure, while the main compartment provides rigid protection for electronics, creating a composite chassis that balances strength and shock absorption.
2Volume of moving object
If the robot uses a compact battery design, then the robot size is reduced, but the battery cannot be quickly replaced or recharged
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into a removable battery pack that interfaces with a dedicated battery compartment in the chassis. This allows the battery to be quickly swapped without tools, and the compact battery pack design maintains a small footprint while enabling rapid replacement through the modular interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery compartment features a dynamic release mechanism that allows quick insertion and removal of the battery pack. The compartment design includes alignment features and snap-fit connections that enable rapid battery replacement while maintaining a compact overall robot structure.
3Quantity of substance
If the robot mounts accessories on the exterior, then payload capacity is increased, but the robot's structural integrity and shock absorption are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory mounting system uses nested structures where accessory rails and mounting points are integrated into the chassis compartments. The forward compartment includes a recessed accessory mounting area, and the main compartment provides structural support for mounted accessories, allowing payload attachment without compromising the underlying structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis employs local quality enhancement at accessory mounting locations with reinforced mounting points and integrated rails. These localized reinforcements provide strong attachment points for accessories while the rest of the chassis maintains its optimized compartmentalized structure for shock absorption and protection.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the robot uses a single large battery, then energy capacity is maximized, but recharge time is extended and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The energy system is segmented into a modular battery pack consisting of multiple battery cells arranged in series. This segmentation allows the entire pack to be quickly replaced as a single unit, and the modular design enables flexible configuration to achieve the required energy capacity while maintaining rapid replacement capability for improved operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A two wheeled throwable robot comprises an elongate robot body with an axis supporting two drive wheels and a rearward tail extending from the robot body. The robot body comprising an elongate chassis with two ends, a motor at each end, the motors connecting to the drive wheels through gear and clutch systems supported by the chassis, sensors and operational components positioned at the front of the chassis, processing circuitry, radio, memory, power control circuitry are located in the chassis such as the circuitry compartments and may be sealingly contained therein. The chassis having a main chassis body that provides enhanced structural strength by supporting the drive motors in conforming bores and having a plurality of U-shaped recesses for receiving a forward chassis body component and a battery module. Additional recesses on the ends of the main body component, along with end chassis caps define drive system compartments for gear systems and clutch mechanism that are isolated from the interior circuitry compartments and the drive motors.