Polyarticulated Robot Vision-Guided Hooking for Complex Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack an efficient method for automatically attaching parts to complex supports, such as claws or pins, in industries like automobiles and cosmetics, leading to manual and labor-intensive processes that hinder productivity due to the non-repeatability of complex support geometries.

Innovation Solution

An automated installation featuring a polyarticulated system with vision systems for part and support localization, allowing real-time adaptation to unique support geometries, and gripping mechanisms like clamps or suction cups for secure attachment, enabling rapid and efficient part attachment on complex supports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual attachment operations are used for parts on complex supports, then flexibility to handle non-repeatable geometries is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidhandling non-repeatable geometries
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a multi-articulated robotic manipulator with dynamic positioning capabilities that can adapt its motion轨迹 to match the specific geometry of each complex support. The vision system provides real-time feedback enabling the manipulator to dynamically adjust its attachment operations for non-repeatable geometries while maintaining high-speed automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A vision system captures images of the complex supports and provides feedback to the control system, which then adjusts the multi-articulated manipulator's positioning and gripping forces accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automated handling of variable geometries with the flexibility previously only achievable through manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated systems are implemented for part attachment, then productivity increases, but the system becomes complex due to non-repeatable support geometries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vision system acts as an intermediary between the complex supports with non-repeatable geometries and the automated manipulator. It translates visual information about support geometry into positioning data that the manipulator can use, bridging the gap between automated operation and geometric variability without requiring complex reprogramming or mechanical redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-articulated manipulator is designed with universal gripping capabilities and programmable motion control that can handle various support geometries through software configuration rather than hardware modification. This multi-functionality allows a single automated system to replace multiple specialized fixtures while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex supports with non-repeatable geometries are used, then part processing quality is improved, but automation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepart positioning accuracyVSAvoidautomation feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional mechanical positioning fixtures with a vision-guided robotic manipulator. Instead of using custom-machined mechanical locators for each support geometry, the vision system optically identifies support features and the manipulator computationally determines attachment positions, achieving high precision through software rather than complex mechanical design

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

Data Source

PatentEP2812161B1Unit and method for the automatic hooking of parts onto complex supports
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 SILEANE
  • EP2812161B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2812161B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2812161B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a unit (1) for the automatic hooking of parts (2) onto complex supports. According to the invention, the unit comprises: at least one multi-jointed system (4) intended to perform the operations used to hook parts (2) onto complex supports (3) and comprising gripping means (4a) for gripping at least one part (2); a first vision system (8) secured to the multi-jointed system (4) and intended to locate the parts (2), both in terms of position and orientation, in order to allow the multi-jointed system (4) to grasp at least one part (2) to be hooked, with a pre-determined orientation; positioning means (9) for positioning a complex support (3) close to the multi-jointed system (4); and a second vision system (10) secured to the multi-jointed system (4) and intended to locate the complex support (3) in order to allow the multi-jointed system (4) to hook the part (2) onto the complex support (3).