Posted by Rick Rhodes

NXT Design of Yoshihito Isogawa



The above design is found in the book, "Lego Mindstorms NXT", by Yoshihito Isogawa. Others have created "inchworms", but Yoshihito's inchworm design is unique for its creativity and efficiency.

As seen in the above close-up, Yoshihito has used a rubber band and NXT parts to create a locking mechanism for both rear and front wheels. This locking mechanism engages and disengages as the worm moves forward, resulting in smooth movement with a minimum of motor thrust.

Click here for my video (with soundtrack) that pays tribute to Yoshihito's design.

Comments

James Floyd Kelly (Jim) said…
The book is also called "The Orange Book" and I still find myself going to it for inspiration. Some of the mechanisms in it are so simple, but I never would have come up with them myself.

If you have the money and the time to wait for delivery, this book is a must-have for any NXT fan.

This isn't his only very unique creation in the book... but it is one of the easier ones to create yourself.
Jan 11, 2007, 8:30:00 AM
Rick Rhodes said…
Later, I'll post some other creations of Yoshihito's--like his "gearless steering" vehicle.
Jan 11, 2007, 9:46:00 AM
Felice Luftschein said…
In the interest of using mechanical language, it is a ratchet mechanism. The locking bit is a pawl and the gear in this case functions as a toothed wheel (which it is, but in a classical ratchet mechanism the teeth are sloped only in the direction of movement)
Jan 17, 2007, 11:09:00 AM
Rick Rhodes said…
Thanks, Felice.

Do you know of other NXT models that use a similar ratchet mechanism?
Jan 18, 2007, 1:54:00 PM
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