Inside Mirror Assembly With Vision-Guided Fastening in Narrow Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual assembly of inside vehicle mirrors is inefficient due to non-uniformity and the difficulty in applying robotic pick-and-place methods, especially in narrow spaces with atypical component angles and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing robots equipped with vision measurement units, fastening units, and grippers to automate the assembly process by measuring and compensating for the entry routes, angles, and directions of atypical components like windshield glass and inside mirrors, ensuring precise attachment and fastening in a narrow space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to assemble the inside mirror, then the atypical shape and angles of components can be handled, but work organization efficiency is lower than the main line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robot system equipped with vision measurement units and fastening units. The robot performs picking, positioning, and fastening operations that were previously done manually, thereby improving work organization efficiency while maintaining the ability to handle atypical component shapes through programmatic control and adaptive positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision measurement unit enables the system to automatically measure and determine the positions and postures of the inside mirror and windshield glass without manual intervention. This self-measurement capability allows the robot to adapt to the atypical shapes and angles of components autonomously, improving both efficiency and ease of operation.
2Extent of automation
If a simple pick-and-place assembling method using a robot is applied, then automation is achieved, but it is difficult to apply due to atypical component shapes and angles
Solution Approach 1:
The vision measurement unit provides real-time feedback on the positions and postures of the inside mirror and windshield glass. This feedback enables the robot to adjust its picking and placing operations dynamically, allowing automated assembly despite the atypical shapes and angles of the components. The system measures actual component positions and compensates for deviations from ideal positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system employs dynamic positioning and orientation adjustments based on measured component postures. The fastening unit can adapt its approach angle and position dynamically during the assembly process, enabling automated operation with atypical components that have fixed mounting surface angles and non-standard geometries.
3Ease of operation
If a fastening tool with entry section of at least 18 mm is used, then the tool can be used for manual operation, but it is difficult to use in the current narrow space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening operation from the narrow space constraint by using a robot-mounted fastening unit that can approach the fastening point from different angles and positions. The fastening unit is integrated into the robot end effector, allowing it to reach into narrow spaces that would be inaccessible to manually operated tools with larger entry sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm acts as an intermediary that transfers the fastening unit to the precise location and orientation needed for fastening in narrow spaces. This intermediary mechanism allows the fastening operation to be performed in confined areas without requiring the fastening tool itself to have a large entry section, as the robot positioning system compensates for spatial constraints.
4Adaptability or versatility
If atypical components like windshield glass and inside mirror are assembled, then the specific mounting requirements are met, but non-uniformity of assembling method depending on manual operations occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The vision measurement unit measures the actual positions and postures of the inside mirror and windshield glass, providing feedback that enables consistent and uniform assembly operations. By automatically measuring and compensating for variations in component positioning, the system eliminates the non-uniformity inherent in manual operations while still accommodating the specific mounting requirements of atypical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts assembly parameters such as robot position, orientation, and fastening force based on measured component postures. This parameter adaptation allows uniform automated operations to be performed while meeting the specific mounting requirements of atypical components with fixed mounting surface angles and varying geometries.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system for assembling an inside mirror for a vehicle, the system including a plurality of robots each having at least one of a vision measurement unit, a fastening unit, and a gripper configured to grip an inside mirror for a vehicle, and a control unit configured to control the plurality of robots to measure a first mounting surface of a windshield glass and a second mounting surface of the inside mirror, move the inside mirror so that the first and second mounting surfaces are attached to each other while overlapping each other, and fasten the inside mirror and the windshield glass in a state in which the first and second mounting surfaces are attached to each other.