Mechanical Design Diagnosis Using Motor Input-Output Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

The operation performance of mechanical apparatuses operated by motors is not significantly improved by optimizing control parameters, making it difficult to identify which design aspects need improvement, leading to reliance on experience and intuition, resulting in inefficiency and high time and effort requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves operating the mechanical apparatus to measure input and output indices such as current, torque, position, and velocity, determining mechanical properties like frequency, position-torque, and velocity-torque relationships, and specifying improvement-required items like rigidity, tooth contact, cogging torque, and friction, allowing designers to systematically improve the design without relying on intuition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control parameters are optimized using auto-tuning functions, then control performance is improved, but overall operation performance of the mechanical apparatus is not significantly improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol performanceVSAvoidoperation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the design improvement process into distinct analytical steps: measuring mechanical properties (rigidity, friction, inertia), analyzing frequency characteristics, and identifying specific improvement items. This systematic segmentation transforms the vague optimization process into actionable, targeted improvements that actually enhance overall operation performance rather than just control parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism by measuring actual mechanical properties during operation and using this information to identify specific design improvement items. The system continuously monitors parameters like position, velocity, acceleration, current, and torque to provide feedback on actual performance gaps, enabling data-driven design improvements rather than relying on intuition alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If designers rely on experience and intuition for design improvement, then design work can be performed, but a great deal of time and effort is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign capabilityVSAvoiddesign time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the mechanical apparatus to self-diagnose design issues by automatically measuring its own mechanical properties during operation. The system performs self-assessment of rigidity, friction, and inertia characteristics, and automatically identifies improvement items without requiring extensive designer intervention or subjective judgment, significantly reducing design time and effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical approach of trial-and-error design adjustments with an automated measurement and analysis system. By using sensors and computational analysis to objectively determine mechanical properties and identify improvement items, the system substitutes intuitive mechanical tweaking with precise, data-driven design optimization.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3076260B1Device and method for assisting in design improvement work for mechanical device
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 FUJI CORP
  • EP3076260B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3076260B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3076260B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a method for supporting work of improving the design of a mechanical apparatus which is operated by a motor, including: an operating step of operating a movable section of the mechanical apparatus by the motor; a measuring step of obtaining at least one index which indicates an input into the motor or an output from the motor in the operating step; a determining step of determining the mechanical properties of the mechanical apparatus, by using at least one index obtained in the measuring step; and a specifying step of specifying at least one improvement-required item which is required to be improved in the design of the mechanical apparatus, by using the mechanical properties determined in the determining step.