Optical Tool Positioning for Precise Surface Path Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for guiding tools on materials are cumbersome, especially for complex paths, as they require manual effort and mechanical guides that are time-consuming to set up and lack flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a rig or frame with a stage that can be positioned on a material, equipped with sensors and cameras to determine the tool's position, allowing for precise and flexible guidance of the tool along a desired coordinate or design path, using data processing and automatic correction mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical guides such as railings or fences are used to assist the user in guiding the tool, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of guiding toolVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical guides

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical guides (railings, fences) with a camera-based optical positioning system. The camera captures images of the material surface, and a processor determines the tool's position relative to the material and desired path, eliminating the need for physical mechanical guidance structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy (image) of the material surface and uses image processing to determine position. Instead of physical mechanical guides, the system uses a visual copy of the material to guide the tool along the desired path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If mechanical guides are used to facilitate tool guidance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time for setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of guiding toolVSAvoidsetup time of mechanical guides

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical guide setup with an instantaneous camera-based system. The camera captures the material surface and the processor quickly determines positioning information, eliminating the time required to physically assemble and adjust mechanical guides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If manual visual guides are used, then the device complexity is kept simple, but the manufacturing precision and measurement precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of visual guidesVSAvoidprecision of following visual guides

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a digital image copy of the material surface with processed position information to guide the tool. This digital representation provides precise positioning data that is much more accurate than manual visual guides, while the overall device remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The camera continuously captures the material surface and the processor calculates the tool's position relative to the desired path, providing continuous feedback for precise positioning. This feedback mechanism enables high manufacturing precision without requiring complex mechanical guidance systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical guides are used to support complex paths, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to support complex pathsVSAvoidcomplexity of guides for complex paths

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical guides needed for complex paths with a camera-based system. The camera captures the entire work area, and the processor calculates positioning information for complex paths through image processing, eliminating the need for physical mechanical structures to support complex trajectories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11820036B2Systems and methods for performing a task on a material, or locating the position of a device relative to the surface of the material

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 SHAPER TOOLS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate generally to facilitate performing a task on a surface such as woodworking or printing. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to mapping the surface of the material and determining the precise location of a tool in reference to the surface of a material. Some embodiments relate to obtaining and relating a design with the map of the material or displaying the current position of the tool on a display device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure facilitates adjusting, moving or auto-correcting the tool along a predetermined path such as, e.g., a cutting or drawing path. In some embodiments, the reference location may correspond to a design or plan obtained from obtained via an online design store