Design and Motion Analysis of a Reconfigurable Pendulum-Based Rolling Disk Robot with Magnetic Coupling

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel reconfigurable disk robot with a magnetic coupling system, optimized through parametric simulations, and analyzes its motion patterns and manipulation capabilities for enhanced versatility.

Contribution

It introduces a new magnetic coupling design and motion analysis for a reconfigurable rolling disk robot, emphasizing improved coupling strength and operational adaptability.

Findings

Enhanced magnetic coupling strength achieved through parametric optimization.

Discovery of new motion patterns influenced by friction and sliding effects.

Identification of a novel problem in nonprehensile manipulation.

Abstract

Reconfigurable robots are at the forefront of robotics innovation due to their unmatched versatility and adaptability in addressing various tasks through collaborative operations. This paper explores the design and implementation of a novel pendulum-based magnetic coupling system within a reconfigurable disk robot. Diverging from traditional designs, this system emphasizes enhancing coupling strength while maintaining the compactness of the outer shell. We employ parametric optimization techniques, including magnetic array simulations, to improve coupling performance. Additionally, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of the rolling robot's motion to assess its operational effectiveness in the coupling mechanism. This examination reveals intriguing new motion patterns driven by frictional and sliding effects between the rolling disk modules and the ground. Furthermore, the new setup introduces a novel problem in the area of nonprehensile manipulation.