Gripper Calibration via Image Detection for Yarn Spindle Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In production workshops where robots grab spindles with yarn, inaccurate positioning due to mechanical wear leads to damage or failure in grabbing the spindle, necessitating a method for calibrating the grabbing position.

Innovation Solution

A control method that involves obtaining target images of the mechanical gripper and the spindle with yarn, detecting their center positions, and generating a calibration instruction if the position relationship does not meet preset requirements, allowing for calibration of either the gripper or the spindle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If mechanical gripper is used for grabbing spindles with yarn, then automation is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to mechanical wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of grabbingVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing images of the mechanical gripper and spindle with yarn before the grabbing operation. The calibration data is prepared in advance to compensate for positioning errors, allowing the automated system to operate with corrected position information that accounts for mechanical wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses image collection devices to capture the actual positions of the mechanical gripper and spindle with yarn, compares these positions with expected positions, and generates calibration instructions based on the detected deviations. This feedback loop enables continuous correction of positioning errors caused by mechanical wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If calibration is performed to improve positioning accuracy, then grabbing precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional image collection and processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrabbing precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces image collection devices as intermediary components to capture visual information about the mechanical gripper and spindle with yarn. These images serve as mediators that enable the system to detect position deviations and generate calibration instructions without requiring direct physical measurement or complex sensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates visual copies (images) of the mechanical gripper and spindle with yarn using image collection devices. These digital copies are then processed to extract position information and generate calibration data, replacing the need for complex physical measurement systems while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If image collection is performed to detect center positions, then positioning accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases due to image processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures images of the mechanical gripper and spindle with yarn in advance before the actual grabbing operation. This preliminary image collection allows time for processing without delaying the production workflow, as the calibration can be performed during idle time or in parallel with other operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional mechanical measurement and positioning systems with optical image collection and digital image processing. This substitution enables high-precision position detection through software algorithms rather than complex mechanical sensors, reducing both hardware complexity and processing time.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4510074A1Control method and apparatus, device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 ZHEJIANG HENGYI PETROCHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP4510074A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(a)
  • EP4510074A1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)~3
  • EP4510074A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a control method and apparatus, and a storage medium. The method includes: obtaining (S101, S501) a first target image collected by a first collection device and a second target image collected by a second collection device, in a case of it is determined that characteristic information of a mechanical gripper satisfies a first preset requirement; detecting (S102, S502) a first center position of the mechanical gripper in the first target image, and detecting a second center position of a target spindle with yarn in the second target image; and generating (S103) a calibration instruction, in a case of it is determined that a target position relationship between the first center position and the second center position does not satisfy a second preset requirement, where the calibration instruction is used to calibrate a center position of the mechanical gripper or a center position of the target spindle with yarn.