Assistance Robot Holding Member Path Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assistance robots may not appropriately set movement paths for holding members based on the current position and body weight distribution of care receivers, leading to discomfort during standing and sitting operations.

Innovation Solution

The assistance robot includes a base, a holding member, a driving device, and a control device with a memory section, path setting section, and driving control section to select and set movement paths based on the usage state, including the current position of the holding member, allowing for switching between standing and sitting paths even if the requested operation does not match the current state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the movement path is always selected according to the requested operation, then the control system is simple, but the care receiver may feel discomfort when the current holding member position does not match the requested operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of care receiverVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The path setting section dynamically selects between standing path and sitting path based on the current position of the holding member and the requested operation. When the holding member is at a position suitable for the requested operation, that operation's path is selected. When the holding member is at a position more suitable for the opposite operation, the system switches to select that operation's path instead, making the movement path adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control section continuously monitors the current position of the holding member and uses this feedback to determine which movement path to select. The system compares the current position with the appropriate positions for standing and sitting operations, and automatically selects the most suitable path based on this real-time feedback, ensuring optimal comfort for the care receiver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the movement path is switched based on current holding member position, then comfort is improved, but the control logic becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of care receiverVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The path selection is made dynamic by continuously evaluating the current holding member position and selecting the most appropriate movement path (standing or sitting) based on this real-time state, rather than relying on a fixed predetermined path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control section uses feedback from the current position detection to automatically determine which path to execute, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to the actual state of the holding member and ensures comfortable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the holding member moves on a fixed movement path, then the control system is simple, but it cannot adapt to different usage states causing operator discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to usage stateVSAvoidpath selection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movement path is made adaptive by dynamically selecting between standing path and sitting path based on the current usage state (position of holding member). This allows the system to automatically adapt to different operational contexts without requiring manual intervention or complex reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control section is designed to handle multiple functions: it can select both standing path and sitting path based on the same control logic, making the path selection mechanism universal and capable of adapting to different usage states through a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3417842B1Assistance robot
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 FUJI CORP
  • EP3417842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3417842B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3417842B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An assistance robot that assists standing and sitting operations of a care receiver by moving a holding member on a movement path in accordance with a usage state. The control device of the assistance robot includes a path setting section configured to, when a standing operation operation or a sitting operation has been entered as a requested operation, select one of a standing path or a sitting path that corresponds to the requested operation, or one of the standing path or the sitting path that does not correspond to the requested operation, based on a usage state including a current position of the holding member, and set the selected movement path as a reference path.