Bending Robot Arm Distance Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending robots face efficiency degradation due to the need to evacuate from image-taking or distance-measuring areas to avoid interference, which slows down the detection of workpieces on a stacker and subsequently affects bending efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A bending robot equipped with a movable main body and a contactless distance sensor integrated into an arm portion that measures the distance to workpieces along a measurement path near the storage reference flat plane, allowing for simultaneous detection without interfering with the bending process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera or non-contact distance sensor is disposed above the stacker to detect workpieces, then detection capability is improved, but the robot must evacuate from the measurement area which degrades bending efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection function with the robot arm by integrating a non-contact distance sensor into the arm portion. This merging eliminates the need for a separate fixed detection device above the stacker, allowing the robot to perform both bending and detection functions without evacuating the measurement area, thus resolving the contradiction between detection capability and bending efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm is given multi-functionality by equipping it with both the bending operation capability and the workpiece detection capability through the integrated distance sensor. This allows the same component (robot arm) to serve multiple purposes: maintaining positional relationship with the workpiece during bending and detecting workpiece presence/position, thereby eliminating the need to evacuate and improving overall productivity
2Measurement precision
If the robot evacuates from the image-taking or distance-measuring area to avoid interference, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the detection time increases which slows down the bending process
Solution Approach 1:
The robot arm preliminarily positions itself above the stacker in a predetermined positional relationship before performing detection. This preliminary positioning allows the integrated distance sensor to immediately begin measurements without the robot needing to evacuate from the area, thus reducing detection time while maintaining measurement accuracy through the pre-established optimal measurement position
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm maintains continuous useful action by keeping the distance sensor integrated and positioned in the measurement area throughout the operation. Instead of evacuating and then returning, the arm remains in position, continuously capable of both detection and bending operations, eliminating idle time and improving overall process speed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-speed detection of workpieces on a stacker, improving bending efficiency by eliminating the need for the robot to leave its operational area during measurement, thus enhancing overall processing speed and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor that is provided in the arm portion and capable of measuring a distance to the workpiece stored on the stacker in a contactless manner
Data Source
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AI summary
A bending robot takes out a workpiece stored on a stacker while contacting its end face with a storage reference flat plane of the stacker, and then supplies it to a bending machine. The bending robot includes a main body movable parallel to the storage reference flat plane, an arm portion supported by the main body and capable of positioning above the stacker, and a distance sensor provided in the arm portion for measuring a distance to the workpiece stored on the stacker in a contactless manner. According to the bending robot, bending can be done with high efficiency.