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MAGNETICALLY COUPLED ACCESSORY FOR A SELF-PROPELLED DEVICE

  • US 20160090133A1
  • Filed: 12/14/2015
  • Published: 03/31/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:

  • a controller device;

    a self-propelled device comprising a spherical housing, a drive system provided within the spherical housing, one or more magnetic components, and an internal component that extends from the drive system to position the one or more magnetic components within an interior of the spherical housing, so as to be diametrically opposed to a point of contact between the spherical housing and an underlying surface;

    an accessory device comprising one or more magnetic components and a contact surface having a radius of curvature that conforms to an exterior surface of the spherical housing, the contact surface of the accessory device being positionable along the exterior surface of the spherical housing to cause a magnetic interaction between the one or more magnetic components within the spherical housing and the one or more magnetic components of the accessory device;

    wherein the drive system is operable under control of the controller device to cause the spherical housing to maneuver, including to roll on the underlying surface, the magnetic interaction causing the accessory device to maintain contact with the exterior surface of the spherical housing as the spherical housing rolls;

    wherein the drive system, in maneuvering the spherical housing, causes the internal component to angularly displace relative to a vertical axis of the spherical housing, the magnetic interaction causing the accessory device to maintain continuous contact with the exterior surface of the spherical housing when the internal component is angularly displaced.

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