We would like to fold our climbing hooks to keep within the robot frame at the start but use springs to deploy them for climbing. Does anyone know if this violates the stored energy rule?
Springs have been used for many years for this type of application. Inspectors will be concerned about the speed of deployment, safety and the possibility of the springs causing damage and flying debris during operation.
R37:
Non-electrical sources of energy used by the ROBOT, (i.e., stored at the start of a MATCH), shall come only from the following sources:
A. compressed air stored in the pneumatic system,
B. a change in the altitude of the ROBOT center of gravity, and
C. storage achieved by deformation of ROBOT parts.
The deformed robot parts is the item to pay attention to. ‘Parts’ can include springs.
So springs are legal. Consider, however, that inspectors will be interested in the safety of any stored energy on a robot. Ask your self what such a mechanism might do if damaged or released unintentionally. Who could it hurt? What can you do to mitigate that risk? The inspectors will ask you those kinds of questions, so think very carefully on it.
…and make darned sure it cannot, no way, no how, release unintentionally (lest someone get hurt).