Monitoring Device for Mobile Work Zone Polytope Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring the working environment of movable devices, such as industrial robots, face challenges in accurately modeling concave work zones, leading to inefficient collision detection and potential malfunctions, as they require manual input and are prone to errors, especially when dealing with complex geometries like transfer areas.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that autonomously determine the polytope shell and protection zones by inputting convex polytopes, using algorithms for convex hull determination and difference formation, allowing for efficient monitoring and flexible reconfiguration without manual intervention, enabling reliable detection of device position and potential collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual input and modeling of work zones is used, then configuration can be performed with existing tools, but accuracy and efficiency deteriorate due to errors and inefficiency in modeling concave work zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodeling accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device autonomously determines the polytope shell and protection zones by receiving only convex polytope inputs from users, automatically performing convex hull determination and difference calculations to generate the complete work zone model without manual intervention in the complex modeling process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual geometric modeling operations with automated computational algorithms, specifically using convex hull determination algorithms and polytope difference calculations to automatically generate accurate work zone models from simple convex inputs

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

2Ease of operation

If manual determination of polytope shell and protection zones is performed, then configuration can be completed, but complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device autonomously determines the polytope shell and protection zones by receiving only convex polytope inputs from users, automatically performing convex hull determination and difference calculations to generate the complete work zone model without manual intervention in the complex modeling process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automated convex hull determination and polytope difference calculations in advance to pre-compute the polytope shell and protection zones, making the configuration process faster and simpler by eliminating manual geometric computations during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If convex polytope hull determination algorithm is used, then automation and accuracy are improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous determination capabilityVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual geometric modeling operations with automated computational algorithms, specifically using convex hull determination algorithms and polytope difference calculations to automatically generate accurate work zone models from simple convex inputs

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses convex polytopes as intermediary representations that simplify the input process, transforming complex concave work zone modeling into a series of simpler convex polytope operations that can be automatically processed by standard algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3808511B1Method for monitoring a working environment and monitoring device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3808511B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3808511B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3808511B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A method for monitoring the working environment of a mobile device is proposed, wherein the working environment comprises a work zone and at least one protection zone, and the mobile device is located in the work zone during its normal operation. The method comprises: inputting, by a user, a plurality of convex polytopes into the monitoring device, the convex polytopes corresponding to zones in which the mobile device is located during normal operation; determining a convex polytope envelope by the monitoring device, wherein the convex polytope envelope completely encompasses the plurality of convex polytopes; and determining the at least one protection zone by calculating the difference between the convex polytope envelope and the input from the monitoring device. Monitoring the position of the mobile device is simplified because the work zone can be modeled autonomously.