Vulcanized Elastomer Foot Pad for Legged Robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot feet are prone to detachment in harsh environments due to inadequate clamping mechanisms, leading to reduced durability and reliability in legged robots.

Innovation Solution

A robot foot design featuring a solid body with a metallic surface and a vulcanized elastomer foot pad that engages non-detachably, providing a robust and form-fitting attachment without the need for clamps, and optionally incorporating conductive materials for electrical connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the elastic foot pad is clamped to the support member, then the foot pad can be easily assembled, but the foot pad may fall off easily in harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidfoot pad retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical clamping system with a chemical bonding system. The foot pad is bonded to the support member using adhesive bonding or vulcanization, eliminating the need for clamps and mechanical fasteners. This substitution provides a more reliable connection that cannot easily detach in harsh environments while maintaining ease of assembly through the bonding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material bonding where the elastomer foot pad is chemically bonded to the metallic or composite support member. This creates a composite structure with enhanced interfacial strength through chemical adhesion, ensuring the foot pad remains securely attached under harsh operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the foot pad is securely bonded to the solid body, then the durability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot pad attachment securityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the foot pad attachment process with the solid body manufacturing process. The foot pad is molded directly onto the solid body in a single integrated operation, combining what would traditionally be separate manufacturing steps into one unified process. This reduces overall manufacturing complexity while ensuring secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the solid body surface with adhesion promoter or preparing the bonding surface before foot pad attachment. This preliminary preparation ensures optimal bonding conditions and simplifies the subsequent manufacturing steps by preventing bonding issues before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a robust clamping mechanism is used to secure the foot pad, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot pad retentionVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical clamping mechanisms with simple chemical bonding. Instead of using springs, clips, screws, or other mechanical retention systems, the foot pad is securely attached through adhesive bonding or vulcanization. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical components while achieving reliable foot pad retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the clamping mechanism entirely from the design. By using chemical bonding, the complex mechanical retention system is completely eliminated, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining or improving foot pad security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution enhances the durability and reliability of robot feet by ensuring a secure attachment in harsh environments and allowing for easy replacement, while also providing electrical conductivity and oil resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a vulcanized elastomer foot pad that engages non-detachably

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVulcanization:

Implementation Method 2

engages non-detachably, providing a robust and form-fitting attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

optionally incorporating conductive materials for electrical connectivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250091670A1Foot for Legged Robot

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 ANYBOTICS AG

AI summary

The invention refers to a robot foot (1001), a robot foot adapter (1002), a robot leg section (1003), a robot leg assembly (1004) and a method for manufacturing the robot foot. The robot foot (1001) comprises a solid body (1) with a surface and an attachment section (13) adapted to mount the robot foot (1001) to a robot or a robot foot adapter (1002). In addition, the robot foot (1001) comprises a foot pad (2). The foot pad (2) comprises an elastomer material. The foot pad (2) covers the first section (11) of the solid body (1) and positively engages in a non-detachable manner with the first section (11) in a direction (d) of a longitudinal axis (100) of the solid body (1).