Contact-Sensor Trajectory Control for Arbitrary Workpiece Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trajectory control systems for industrial robots, such as dispensers and welders, rely on expensive and complex high-resolution cameras or image sensors to correct positional displacements and trajectory errors on workpieces, which is not cost-effective or practical for all applications.
Innovation Solution
A trajectory control device that calculates XY coordinates on a workpiece using a contact sensor to detect side surfaces, allowing for trajectory correction without the need for high-precision cameras or image sensors, utilizing a trajectory controller with a contact sensor, electric actuators, and a coordinate transformation unit to adjust the trajectory tracking member accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution camera or image sensor is used for trajectory correction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical sensing systems (cameras and image sensors) with a mechanical contact sensor system. The contact sensor physically touches the workpiece to detect position and trajectory information, substituting complex optical fields with simple mechanical contact detection, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive contact sensors instead of expensive high-resolution cameras or image sensors. The contact sensor uses simple mechanical elements that can be easily replaced or reset, providing a cost-effective solution for trajectory detection without requiring costly optical equipment
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution camera or image sensor is used for trajectory correction, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive contact sensors instead of expensive high-resolution cameras or image sensors. The contact sensor uses simple mechanical elements that can be easily replaced or reset, providing a cost-effective solution for trajectory detection without requiring costly optical equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical sensing systems (cameras and image sensors) with a mechanical contact sensor system. The contact sensor physically touches the workpiece to detect position and trajectory information, substituting complex optical fields with simple mechanical contact detection, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement capability
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 accurate trajectory correction and movement recognition on workpieces in arbitrary positions using a simple and cost-effective method, eliminating the need for high-precision sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining precision.
Implementation Method 1
positional information about side surfaces of a workpiece that is obtained by the contact sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A trajectory control device (10) includes: a contact sensor (26) that can contact side surfaces of a workpiece; an actuator (24) that moves a trajectory tracking member (28) and the contact sensor; and a trajectory controller (12) that calculates XY coordinates of a trajectory on the workpiece that is placed in an arbitrary position, by transforming XY coordinates of the trajectory on the workpiece in a reference position, based on positional information about the side surfaces of the workpiece in the reference position and positional information about the side surfaces of the workpiece placed in the arbitrary position. The positional information about the side surfaces of the workpiece placed in the arbitrary position is obtained by the contact sensor.