Modular Robotic Hardware Coupling for Fast Task Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current robotic systems lack flexibility in terms of degree of freedom and mechanical capabilities, making them inflexible for adapting to different tasks, which is a challenge in industrial manufacturing environments where cost pressures require maximizing the return on investment (ROI) from robotic assets.

Innovation Solution

A hardware module for robotic systems that includes sensors for measuring internal properties, a communication unit, and an embedded controller for data collection and storage, allowing for flexible reconfiguration and software updates, enabling the creation of modular robots that can be easily adapted for various tasks without the need for extensive reprogramming or software intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manipulators are assigned to specific tasks with fixed configurations, then reliability and performance for that task are improved, but adaptability to perform other kinds of tasks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask performance reliabilityVSAvoidtask adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system is divided into independent, interchangeable hardware modules (manipulator modules, end effectors, sensors) that can be individually selected and combined. Each module is a self-contained unit with standardized interfaces, allowing the system to be reconfigured by swapping modules rather than redesigning the entire manipulator for different tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized universal interfaces are implemented across all hardware modules, enabling a single base module to work with multiple different manipulator modules and end effectors. This universal interface design allows one robotic system to perform multiple different tasks by simply changing the attached modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If modular robotic systems are created with tool-free attachment mechanisms, then ease of operation and reconfiguration are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule reconfiguration easeVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional tool-based mechanical attachment mechanisms are replaced with tool-free attachment mechanisms that use integrated locking features, magnetic coupling, or snap-fit designs. This allows modules to be attached and detached by hand without requiring wrenches, screwdrivers, or other tools, significantly improving ease of reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If embedded controllers with data storage are added to each hardware module, then measurement precision and status monitoring are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal property measurement precisionVSAvoidmodule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each hardware module is equipped with its own embedded controller and data storage unit, enabling it to autonomously measure, record, and manage its own operational status and sensor data. This self-service capability eliminates the need for a centralized control system to directly monitor every parameter, simplifying the overall control architecture while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If robotic systems are designed for easy reconfiguration between tasks, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time during reconfiguration may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask flexibilityVSAvoidreconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Hardware modules are pre-configured with standardized interfaces, pre-calibrated sensors, and pre-programmed embedded controllers during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation ensures that when modules need to be reconfigured for different tasks, they can be quickly attached and immediately operational without requiring time-consuming calibration, alignment, or programming adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11597076B2Hardware module for a robotic system, and mechanical coupling

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 FESTO AG & CO KG

AI summary

A Hardware Module for a robotic system includes at least one sensor for measuring an internal property of the Hardware Module, a communication unit for communicating with other Hardware Modules, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data, the collected data including: status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module wherein at least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data from the at least one sensor, and the embedded controller is configured to perform at least one of: storing the collected data on the data storage unit; and transmitting the collected data via the communication unit.