Modular Robotic End Effector with On-Board Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems in manufacturing and assembly facilities are inflexible and costly due to the laborious process of changing robot tooling and programming for different tasks, leading to dedicated robots for specific applications, which limits their versatility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A robotic end effector system with a connector and data communication links allows for quick changeover of end effectors, including on-board controllers, enabling robots to easily switch between applications by disconnecting and reconnecting different end effectors, such as fluid applicators or welding guns, and managing fluid canisters for efficient fluid use and disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If robot tooling and programming are changed for different tasks, then robot versatility is improved, but changeover time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system is segmented into modular components: the robot arm, end effectors, and tooling are separate interchangeable units. This allows the robot base to remain while only the end effector needs to be changed for different tasks, dramatically reducing changeover time compared to reconfiguring the entire robot system.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal robot base and control system are designed to work with multiple types of end effectors and tooling. The standardized interface and programming architecture allow the same robot to perform welding, painting, assembly, and other tasks by simply swapping end effectors, making the robot system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated robots for each task.
2Reliability
If dedicated robots are used for specific applications, then task performance reliability is improved, but system flexibility and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The robot control system uses a universal programming architecture that can accommodate different end effectors and tasks through standardized interfaces. This allows the system to maintain high reliability for each specific task while also being flexible enough to switch between different tasks by changing end effectors, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated robots.
Solution Approach 2:
End effectors are pre-configured and pre-programmed for specific tasks before being attached to the robot. This preliminary preparation ensures that when an end effector is mounted, it is ready for immediate high-reliability operation, while the ability to swap pre-prepared end effectors maintains system flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If fluid supply systems with pumps and fixed lines are used, then fluid application capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is extracted from the fixed infrastructure and integrated directly into the portable end effector. Instead of having separate pumps, fixed supply lines, and control systems, the fluid delivery mechanism is built into the end effector itself, making the system simpler, more flexible, and easier to swap between tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector combines multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the tooling, fluid supply reservoir, fluid delivery mechanism, and control electronics are all merged into one interchangeable component. This eliminates the need for separate pumps, fixed lines, and control systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full fluid application capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic end effector system and method having a plurality of end effectors which are selectively suitable for particular applications on a workpiece. The end effectors include a resident controller adapted to execute tasks specific to the end effector and are rapidly attachable and removable from the robot for easy change over to different workpieces.