BUMPER PERIMETER

[GaryVoshol]

I haven't seen this discussed much yet. This year we have a new definition, the BUMPER PERIMETER:

BUMPER PERIMETER – the polygon defined by the outer-most set of exterior vertices on the ROBOT (without the BUMPERS attached) that are within the BUMPER ZONE. To determine the BUMPER PERIMETER, wrap a piece of string around the ROBOT at the level of the BUMPER ZONE - the string describes this polygon. The BUMPER PERIMETER may extend up to, but cannot exceed, the maximum ROBOT volume constraints defined in Rule <R11>.

Then we have

Originally Posted by <R08>

K. BUMPERS must protect a minimum of 2/3 of the BUMPER PERIMETER. Teams are encouraged to maximize the area of the ROBOT protected by BUMPERS. But up to 1/3 of the BUMPER PERIMETER may be unprotected to provide flexibility in design options.

L. The BUMPERS must be fixed to the BUMPER PERIMETER.

Teams need to be very careful about how they design their frames. If you have concave sections of the frame, you cannot attach bumpers to that section. In the extreme, consider a robot frame in the shape of a Maltese Cross:
The Bumper Perimeter forms an octagon connecting all the vertices - and the frame touches the Perimeter only at those vertices. There would be no legal way to connect Bumpers to the Bumper Perimeter. Beware!