Hey guys! This is my fourth year in FRC and I am on Team 2090 from Hawaii.
My team was brainstorming ways to ascend the HABitat, but I wanted to make sure that all our ideas were legal according to the game manual.
One of our central ideas and what I have heard in many other forums and discussions by other teams, is the idea of using pistons or rack-and-pinions to raise the robot on the first level, and drive onto the second or third HAB level using some sort of sliding or driving mechanism. This idea, though creative and daring, challenges part G23 and R25 in the manual concerning the “Bumper Zone.”
G23:
“Keep your BUMPERS low. BUMPERS must be in the BUMPER ZONE (see R25).”
R25:
_“Except as allowed per G23, BUMPERS must be located entirely within the BUMPER ZONE, which is the volume contained between the floor and a virtual horizontal plane 7½ in. (~19 cm) above the floor in reference to the ROBOT standing normally on a flat floor. BUMPERS do not have to be parallel to the floor. _
_E.G. This measurement is intended to be made as if the ROBOT is resting on a flat floor (without changing the ROBOT configuration), not relative to the height of the ROBOT from the FIELD carpet. Examples include: _
_Example 1: A ROBOT that is at an angle while navigating the FIELD has its BUMPERS outside the BUMPER ZONE. If this ROBOT were virtually transposed onto a flat floor, and its BUMPERS are in the BUMPER ZONE, it meets the requirements of R25. _
Example 2: A ROBOT deploys a MECHANISM which lifts the BUMPERS outside the BUMPER ZONE (when virtually transposed onto a flat floor). This violates R25.”
The main part in question is Example 2 above. A piston or rack and pinion would be defined as a MECHANISM which would lift the FRAME which would in turn lift the BUMPERS. Does example 2 only apply to a mechanism that would lift the physical bumpers themselves (off the frame possibly) which would lift them outside the bumper height requirements?
As explained by Example 1, if the robot was navigating the FIELD and was lifted off the ground (by a bump or something) there is an exception because you would theoretically “transpose” the robot onto a flat surface, proving that the bumpers were in the same place in respect to the robot’s structure and not lifted out of the BUMPER ZONE.
In summary, my questions are:
- What defines the ROBOT when measuring the BUMPER ZONE?
- my understanding is that it includes whatever configuration the ROBOT is in, BUT R25 states, “in reference to the ROBOT standing ‘normally’ on the floor. - In turn, what is the definition of standing ‘normally’ on the floor? Does this apply to making sure the robot is reacting normally to gravity’s pull while being supported on a flat, horizontal surface?
- Ultimately, would it be legal to raise our robot off the ground, supported by pistons or rack-and-pinions secured to and protruding below our frame and below the bumpers?
Just as a side note, I know that, in the game animation, there was a robot using this strategy to climb the HABitat, so I would ASSUME that all the robots they create are adherent to their own game manual rules, but then again, they have created some pretty extravagant robots and it’s only an animation, so I am not going to base my opinion or argument on that point.
Thanks so much! Sorry this is such a long question and post, but I want to make sure that I am completely clear on all the rules!
Gratefully,
Abbie D.
