Robot Kinematic Position Monitoring With Simplified Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collision monitoring methods in robotics are computationally expensive, leading to high reaction times in shared workspaces, which can result in delayed responses to critical situations due to the need for calculating intersection points between three-dimensional geometric bodies.

Innovation Solution

The method models kinematic systems using zero- or one-dimensional kinematic objects, modifying monitoring areas by adjusting geometric variables based on derived distances from predefined parameters, eliminating the need for calculating intersection points between three-dimensional objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three-dimensional geometric bodies are used to model robot parts and workspace boundaries for collision monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but computational effort increases significantly leading to longer reaction times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision detection accuracyVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces the dimensionality of geometric models from three-dimensional bodies to simpler zero-dimensional points or one-dimensional lines representing robot parts. This dimensional reduction dramatically decreases computational complexity while maintaining adequate monitoring capability by checking if these simplified representations penetrate safety zones or leave workspaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters used for modeling from full three-dimensional shapes to simplified representations characterized by fewer parameters (point coordinates or line segments). This parameter simplification reduces the computational burden of intersection calculations while preserving the essential spatial relationships needed for collision detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If complex three-dimensional geometric models are used for monitoring, then monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition monitoring accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the robot kinematic chain into discrete parts (links and joints) and represents each part with simplified zero-dimensional or one-dimensional geometric objects. This segmentation allows independent monitoring of each component without requiring complex full-robot three-dimensional modeling, reducing overall computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified geometric copies (points or lines) that represent the essential spatial characteristics of actual robot parts. These simplified copies are used for monitoring purposes instead of the full three-dimensional models, providing adequate positional information with much lower computational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3225366B1Monitoring of the position of a kinematic
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 B&R IND AUTOMATION GMBH
  • EP3225366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3225366B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3225366B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3e

AI summary

In order to detect that working areas (WS) are being left or safety areas (SS) are being entered by kinematics (1) with less computational effort and therefore more quickly, at least part of the kinematics (1) is equipped with a number of kinematics objects (K1, K2 ,K3,K4) is modeled and a monitoring area (S) to be monitored is specified. The number of kinematic objects (K1,K2,K3,K4) is modeled with a dimension D<2, for each modeled kinematic object (K1,K2,K3,K4). a geometric size of a surveillance area (S) changed by a distance (d1,d2,d3,d4). The distance (d1,d2,d3,d4) is derived from at least one geometric parameter (P1,P2,P3) of the modeled kinematic object (K1,K2,K3,K4). The position of the number of kinematic objects (K1,K2,K3,K4) is checked in relation to the changed monitoring areas (S1,S2,S3,S4).