Mobile robot

• US 8,360,178 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2011
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: China Superrobotics Limited
• Original Assignee: Engineering Services Inc.
• Inventors: Goldenberg, Andrew A., Lin, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Tashiana
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US13/007,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20110168460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 180/9.1, 180/9.32, 180/9.4, 180/9.62, 180/65.8, 280/5.24, 280/5.22, 280/5.3, 901/1, 901/47
• US Class Current: 180/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/005 mounted on endless tracks or belts
• 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 57/024 specially adapted for moving on inclined or vertical surfaces endless-track vehicles for ascending or descending stairs B62D55/075; hand-carts with provision for travelling up or down stairs B62B5/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20305 Robotic arm

Abstract

The mobile robot includes a chassis, a pair of drive system, a manipulator arm with a turret. The pair of drive systems is operably connected to opposed sides of the chassis. The turret is rotationally attached to the platform. The first link of the manipulator arm is attached to the turret at a first joint. The manipulator arm has at least a first link, and the first link is adapted to function as a traction device.

Claims

1. A mobile robot comprising:

a chassis;

a pair of drive system operably connected to opposed sides of the chassis;

a turret rotationally attached to the chassis; and

a manipulator arm having at least a first link, the first link of the manipulator arm being attached to the turret at a first joint and the first link includes a movable traction device such that the manipulator arm aids in mobility.

2. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first link includes a flipper track whereby the flipper track functions as the traction device.

3. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first link is generally triangular in shape and a flipper track is positioned along one side of the triangle and the first link can be positioned such that the flipper track extends outwardly from the chassis.

4. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drive system is one of a track drive system and a wheel drive system.

5. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drive system is changeable between a track drive system and a wheel drive system.

6. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 5 wherein the chassis includes four universal shafts and the drive system is operably connected to the universal shafts.

7. The mobile robots as claimed in claim 6 wherein quick release pins operably attach the drive system to the universal shafts.

8. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chassis has a knee hole cut out on either side thereof between the pair of drive systems whereby the first link can be deployed between pair of drive systems.

9. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 8 wherein a portion of the first link is positionable as an extension of the pair of drive systems.

10. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 2 wherein the manipulator arm further includes a second link pivotally attached to the first link and a gripper operably attached to the second link.

11. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 whereby the turret can rotate continuously.

12. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 whereby the robot is adapted to surmount obstacles and climb stairs and whereby the first link of the manipulator arm helps to surmount obstacles and climb the stairs by lifting the front of the chassis forward and upward.

13. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 whereby the robot is operated one of remotely by an operator and autonomously.

14. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 3 wherein the drive system is changeable between a track drive system and a wheel drive system.

15. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 3 whereby the turret can rotate continuously.

16. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 3 wherein the chassis has a knee hole cut out one either side thereof between the pair of drive systems whereby the first link can be deployed between pair of drive systems.

18. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 1 wherein the traction device is operably connected to a transmission system.

19. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 18 wherein the first link includes a flipper track whereby the flipper track functions as the traction device.

20. The mobile robot as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first link is generally triangular in shape and the flipper track is positioned along one side of the triangle and the first link can be positioned such that the flipper track extends outwardly from the chassis.

17. A mobile robot comprising:

a chassis, wherein the chassis includes four universal shafts;

a pair of drive system operably connected to the universal shafts on opposed sides of the chassis, wherein the drive system is changeable between a track drive system and a wheel drive system;

quick release pins operably attaching the drive system to the universal shafts;

a turret rotationally attached to the chassis; and

a manipulator arm having at least a first link, the first link of the manipulator arm being attached to the turret at a first joint and the first link being adapted to function as a traction device.