Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Nuttyman54
if you're talking about the bumper, it works by utalizing the total impulse: by collapsing, it keeps the force at any given time point low, so that the friction from the wheels can keep the robot from moving. quite ingenious really
|
I question this analysis. Assuming the robot is going as fast as it can go before impact (the worst case scenario), the force being exterted by the robot is the same as long as it's on the ground. This lessens the impact by transforming that force the robot is exerting through it's drive train and moment into upward movement, causing it to lose contact and limiting it's pushing power. As soon as the attacker makes contact with the bumper, it's now adding to the normal force between bumper-equipped robot and carpet. All of it's pushing efforts are used against it, It's really very zen.