ROBOTIC SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20160083025A1
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guoxinruibo Technology Company Limited
• Original Assignee: RoboteX, Inc.
• Inventors: GETTINGS, Nathan D., GETTINGS, Adam M., PENN, Taylor J., STEVENS, Andrew G., SILER, Edward J. III
• Granted Patent: US 9,387,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/06 with tracks without ground wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/075 Tracked vehicles for ascending or descending stairs, steep slopes or vertical surfacesmagnetic or pneumatic ground-engaging parts B62D55/265; chairs or multi-track cycles specially adapted for invalids A61G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/08 Endless track units; Parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/0885 Self-cleaning sprockets
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/12 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot

Abstract

A robotic system that can have a body and four flippers is described. Any or all of the flippers can be rotated. The flippers can have self-cleaning tracks. The tracks can be driven or passive. The robotic system can be controlled by, and send audio and/or video to and/or from, a remote operator control module. The methods of using and making the robotic system are also described.

Claims

1. A robotic vehicle system comprising:

a body;

a drive mechanism attached to the body, wherein the drive mechanism comprises

a hub,

a wheel on the hub, and

a track in contact with the wheel,

wherein the wheel has cells extending from a first terminal lateral side of the wheel to a second terminal lateral side of the wheel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the hub comprises at least polymers, metal, carbon fiber, concrete, cardboard, or wood.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises at least one of TPU, Santoprene, elastomer, elastomer/polymer blend, or metal.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a shaft extending through the hub.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the hub is rotationally fixed within the wheel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises a flexible rubber.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flipper rotatably attached to the body, wherein flipper comprises of the hub and the wheel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the cells comprise a first cell and a second cell, wherein the second cell is radially outside of the first cell.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the cells comprise a third cell radially outside of the second cell.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cells are defined by angular walls and radial walls.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cells quadrilateral configurations.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheel has a scaffold structure.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheel has a honeycomb structure.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises a first angular wall, a second angular wall, and a third angular wall, wherein the first, second and third angular walls are concentric with each other.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first angular wall has a constant radius, and wherein the second angular wall has a constant radius, and wherein the third angular wall has a constant radius.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first angular wall has a cylindrical configuration around the center of the hub, and wherein the second angular wall has a cylindrical configuration around the center of the hub, and wherein the third angular wall has a cylindrical configuration around the center of the hub.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first, second, and third angular wall are deformable along the length of the cells.

18. A robotic vehicle system comprising:

a body;

a drive mechanism attached to the body, wherein the drive mechanism comprises

a wheel comprising a flexible rubber, and

a track in contact with the wheel, wherein the track comprises an elastomer;

wherein the wheel has cells extending from a first terminal lateral side of the wheel to a second terminal lateral side of the wheel.

19. A robotic vehicle system comprising:

a body;

a drive mechanism attached to the body, wherein the drive mechanism comprises;

a wheel, and

a track in contact with the wheel,

wherein the wheel has cells, and wherein at least some of the cells have quadrilateral configurations.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the wheel comprises a first angular wall, a second angular wall, and a third angular wall, wherein the first, second and third angular walls are concentric with each other.