Perimeter Details

[xoxocuddlebuddy]

Does the perimeter of the robot include the drive wheels?


Our robot has a 1/2 in. excess on the back and our team is wondering whether or not the wheels count as the frame or they count towards the 20 in. extension?


We reviewed the rules many times but there seemed to be no direct answer to this fact. Any team answer or personal answer to the question is welcome.

[dellagd]

Does the perimeter of the robot include the drive wheels?


Our robot has a 1/2 in. excess on the back any our team is wondering whether or not the wheels count as the frame or they count towards the 20 in. extension?


We reviewed the rules many times but there seemed to be no direct answer to this fact. Any team answer or personal answer to the question is welcome.

Are you saying that the wheels extend past and frame elements in a certain direction on your robot?

In short, no, I don't think they do. Which means then your wheels start outside the frame perimeter, let alone making a legal bumper to accommodate this.

Let me look over the rules...

EDIT:
R2

The ROBOT must have a FRAME PERIMETER, contained within the BUMPER ZONE, that is comprised of fixed, non-articulated structural elements of the ROBOT. Minor protrusions no greater than ¼ in. such as bolt heads, fastener ends, and rivets are not considered part of the FRAME PERIMETER.

A wheel is not fixed, so no, not part of frame perimeter. I think its pretty definitive.

[jee7s]

Go to Q&A for the official answer, but...

The frame perimeter needs to be established by non-articulated (non-moving) parts of your robot. Also, the frame perimeter limit is 112" with no tolerance. 112 inches is 112 inches is 112 inches. Your robot must start entirely within that perimeter (with the exception of MINOR protrusions like bolt heads).

So, unless your wheels somehow start within the 112" perimeter and then slide outward after match start, you're not in compliance with the starting configuration rule. Also, a wheel is generally accepted to be neither a minor protrusion or non-articulated.

[gurellia53]

R4
In the STARTING CONFIGURATION, the ROBOT must constrain itself such that no part of the ROBOT extends outside the vertical projection of the FRAME PERIMETER, with the exception of minor protrusions such as bolt heads, fastener ends, rivets, etc.

Your wheels can't extend past your frame perimeter at the beginning of the match.

[Alan Anderson]

It sounds like you're going to have to extend your frame to encompass your wheels. I hope that won't make you exceed the perimeter limit.

[Whippet]

It sounds like you're going to have to extend your frame to encompass your wheels.

Or, if their wheel size is inconsequential to their design, switch to smaller diameter wheels.

[Rosiebotboss]

See the Blue Box in R4.

If a ROBOT is designed as intended and pushed up against a vertical wall (in STARTING CONFIGURATION and with BUMPERS removed), only the FRAME PERIMETER (or minor protrusions) will be in contact with the wall.

[EricH]

Q&A posted an answer on this very topic.

Q231 Q. If our wheels extend past our current frame by .08", do they count as the new frame perimeter and thus increase our overall perimeter size?

A. Yes, the Frame Perimeter is determined by the string method highlighted in the blue box in R2.


I suggest someone ask Q&A how the "non-articulated" part of the definition would affect that ruling, as soon as possible. (Or: Q&A just failed a test on the rules they wrote.)