Impactful Q&A Response regarding frame perimeter

[Jared Russell]

The Bumper Zone rules must be met throughout the Match and the Bumper Zone is in reference to a Robot flat on the floor. At every point in the Match, no matter what configuration, orientation, or Court position the Robot is in, if the Robot were to be placed flat on the floor, Bumper Zone requirements must be met.

This is a very different interpretation of [R01-2] and [R29] than I was expecting. It precludes a large number of mechanisms (to react off the floor) that could be used to assist in balancing a bridge once your robot is on it.

Essentially, if your robot has bumpers at the maximum height allowed under normal conditions, you may never drop any mechanism below your wheels at all lest you be penalized. Even if your bumpers are all at minimum height (2"-7" off the ground), you only have 3" of extension below the wheel line available. This potentially means that "ski-like" mechanisms to assist in barrier traversal must also be very carefully designed.

[Rick]

I think the reasoning behind this answer is that during the portion of the match when you are not trying to balance, a malfunction of such a device could inadvertently raise your bumper height. This malfunction could make you susceptible to tipping either by yourself, or with a little help from another team.

[PAR_WIG1350]

I think the reasoning behind this answer is that during the portion of the match when you are not trying to balance, a malfunction of such a device could inadvertently raise your bumper height. This malfunction could make you susceptible to tipping either by yourself, or with a little help from another team.

"Through out the match" is the key phrase here. This applies even when balancing.

[Starke]

This is a very different interpretation of [R01-2] and [R29] than I was expecting. It precludes a large number of mechanisms (to react off the floor) that could be used to assist in balancing a bridge once your robot is on it.

Essentially, if your robot has bumpers at the maximum height allowed under normal conditions, you may never drop any mechanism below your wheels at all lest you be penalized. Even if your bumpers are all at minimum height (2"-7" off the ground), you only have 3" of extension below the wheel line available. This potentially means that "ski-like" mechanisms to assist in barrier traversal must also be very carefully designed.

It appears that Team Update #4 has changed this view to add some differences. Check out the CD thread discussion here (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=100722).

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=100722