Modular Docking Bays for Quick Peripheral Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration and modification of robot peripherals in workcells are time-consuming and costly, often requiring repeated effort and making it undesirable to reconfigure or swap out devices due to customization for specific tasks.
Innovation Solution
A modular reconfigurable workcell with modular docking bays that support plug-and-play attachment of peripherals, featuring electrical and mechanical interfaces, a backplane for coupling communication and power busses, and a processor for determining geometric calibration based on peripheral location and orientation, enabling tool-less quick connection and repeatable alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If workcells are customized for specific tasks with dedicated integration efforts, then task-specific performance is improved, but reconfigurability and modification cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The workcell is divided into modular components (robot peripherals, mounting structures, wiring systems, calibration reference points) that can be independently replaced or reconfigured. Each module can be detached and reattached without affecting the entire system, enabling task-specific customization while maintaining overall reconfigurability through standardized interfaces.
2Reliability
If traditional integration methods are used for robot peripherals, then functional requirements are met, but integration time and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
Reference points for geometric calibration are pre-established on the mounting structure before peripherals are attached. Wiring harnesses and mounting interfaces are pre-configured with standardized connection points. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site calibration and integration work when peripherals are installed or replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure incorporates universal interfaces and standardized connection points that can accommodate multiple types of robot peripherals. The same mounting structure, wiring harness, and calibration reference points can serve different devices, reducing integration time through repeatable installation procedures rather than custom integration for each peripheral.
3Productivity
If workcells are designed for specific tasks, then task performance is optimized, but modification cost and complexity are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The workcell configuration is made dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. Peripherals can be added, removed, or replaced based on changing task requirements. The mounting structure and wiring system are designed to accommodate these changes without requiring complex reengineering, allowing the system to evolve with productivity needs while maintaining manageable modification complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example modular reconfigurable workcell comprises an enclosure including one or more modular docking bays on a surface of the enclosure that support attachment of docking modules in a fixed geometric configuration, wherein respective modular docking bays include a plurality of electrical connections for a variety of power and communication busses of the docking modules to be attached. The example modular reconfigurable workcell further comprises an electrical subsystem for coupling the communication busses between the one or more modular docking bays and providing power circuitry to the one or more modular docking bays, and one or more docking modules inserted within the one or more modular docking bays, wherein the one or more docking modules provide an electrical and mechanical interface between a respective peripheral and the workcell.