Design and Simulation of a Variable Structure Mobile Robot

Abstract

Combined with the advantages of good protection of global robot, self-equilibrium, easy control of wheeled robot and strong obstacle surmounting ability of turbofan robot, a variable structure mobile robot which has three kinds of basic modalities of global, turbofan and three-wheel is designed. The balancing leg is retracted and the two polymorphic wheels of the robot are closed into a sphere while in the global state, and it could be conveniently threw, carried and make all directional movements on the flat grounds. When confronted with the complicated terrain environments of sand, slopes etc., the two polymorphic wheels will be outspread to the turbofan state, and the balancing leg will be opened out as a third supporting wheel so as to strengthen the ability to adapt to the environment. When the two polymorphic wheels are expanded into two wheels, the robot motions are more smoothly and easily to be controlled. A virtual prototype of the robot is designed by three-dimensional technology, as well as the motion simulation. Rationality of the mechanism design scheme of the variable structure mobile robot is verified.