Assembly Image Capture Control for Accurate Process Documentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current assembly process documentation methods rely heavily on human operators, leading to potential mistakes such as capturing incorrect images or reading wrong barcodes/QR codes during the assembly of parts.

Innovation Solution

An assembly process documentation system that includes an image capturing device and a control system to ensure the device is positioned and oriented correctly relative to a reference point before enabling image capture, thereby reducing the risk of incorrect documentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If operator manually documents assembly steps, then flexibility and ease of operation are maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to human errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocumentation accuracyVSAvoidoperator dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service documentation by allowing the image capturing device to automatically determine its own position and orientation relative to the object, and autonomously enable or disable itself based on whether documentation conditions are met, eliminating the need for operator judgment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors the position and orientation of the image capturing device, compares it against reference data, and provides feedback by enabling or disabling the device accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures documentation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If position and orientation verification is implemented, then documentation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition and orientation accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary control system that acts as a mediator between the image capturing device and the documentation process. This control system handles the complex position and orientation verification logic, keeping the main device relatively simple while achieving precise control through the intermediary layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automatic position and orientation determination is added, then productivity is improved by reducing errors, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly documentation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (operator physically positioning and verifying device orientation) with automated electronic/digital systems that use sensors, processors, and software algorithms to determine position and orientation, thereby reducing physical complexity while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4402620B1Assembly process documentation system and method
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 ATLAS COPCO IND TECHNIQUE AB INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
  • EP4402620B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4402620B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP4402620B1 patent drawingFigure 4c

AI summary

An assembly process documentation system (1) comprising: an image capturing device (3), and an image capturing device control system (5) configured to: determine whether a position of the image capturing device (3) fulfils a position condition with respect to a reference position at a manufacturing site, and/or whether an orientation of the image capturing device (3) fulfils an orientation condition with respect to a reference orientation at the manufacturing site, and set the image capturing device (3) in an enabled state in case the position fulfils the position condition and/or the orientation fulfils the orientation condition.