Mass-Controlled Viscous Deposition for Precise Robotic Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic deposition systems for viscous materials often result in malformed or defective products due to their inability to control the position of the robotic device based on the mass of the deposited material, leading to inconsistencies in the final structure.

Innovation Solution

A mass-controlled robotic deposition system that includes a support structure with a load sensor to determine the instantaneous load of the viscous material, allowing the position of the support structure to be controlled along a prescribed path based on the mass, ensuring accurate deposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If time-based delivery or flow rate control is used, then deposition speed is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to control position based on material mass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposition speedVSAvoidposition control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a load sensor that provides real-time feedback on the mass of deposited material. This feedback loop allows the control system to adjust the robotic device's position based on actual material accumulation, ensuring precise structural formation while maintaining efficient deposition rates. The feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling dynamic position adjustment responsive to material mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical position control systems with a mass-based control system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical positioning mechanisms, the system uses load sensing and mass measurement to control deposition position. This substitution enables more accurate control of material placement by directly measuring the physical quantity (mass) that determines structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If mass control is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to addition of load sensor and control system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural formation accuracyVSAvoidsystem component count

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load sensor serves multiple functions within the system: it measures the mass of deposited material for position control, provides feedback for quality assurance, and enables adaptive deposition parameters adjustment. By making the sensor multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate measurement and control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If position is controlled based on material load, then reliability of product structure is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase for load sensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct structure consistencyVSAvoidload sensor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements position control at key critical points along the deposition path rather than continuous control at every position. By focusing measurement and control efforts on weighpoints that correspond to critical structural formation stages, the patent achieves reliable product structure with moderate measurement precision requirements, avoiding the need for extremely high precision load sensing across the entire deposition range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The system ensures precise positioning and deposition of viscous materials, preventing malformation and defects by controlling the robotic device's movement in response to the mass of the material, thereby achieving consistent and specified structural formations.

Implementation Method 1

a load sensor associated with said robotic control structure adapted and configured to determine a load of said viscous material supported by said support structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLoad sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS11787064B2Mass-controlled viscous material deposition system, apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 MILLER WILLIAM

AI summary

A system and/or method comprising providing a robotic control structure having a support structure, said support structure being adapted and configured to be selectively positionable along a prescribed path by said robotic control structure; providing a viscous material deposition system adapted and configured to control deposition of a viscous material from said viscous material deposition system; providing a load sensor associated with said robotic control structure adapted and configured to determine a load of said viscous material supported by said support structure; and positioning said support structure along said prescribed path, wherein said positioning is controlled at least in part based upon said load.