Programmable Robot Adapters for Fast Peripheral Retooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises face challenges in adopting robotic automation due to high initial costs and the need for frequent attachment and swapping of robotic peripherals, requiring efficient and repeatable methods for connecting and adapting robotic peripherals to robots.
Innovation Solution
A robotic apparatus that detachably connects peripherals to a robot, provides peripheral information, and causes the robot to adaptively reconfigure based on this information, using a programmable peripheral adapter with a data storage unit and communication device, and a robotic adapter with a communication link, enabling quick and efficient adaptation for different tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If robotic peripherals are frequently attached and swapped for different production tasks, then adaptability and versatility improve, but the time and complexity of connection setup increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming peripheral profile information (including mechanical properties, tool center points, and operational parameters) into the peripheral adapter before attachment. This allows the robotic system to automatically retrieve and configure parameters upon connection, eliminating manual setup time and enabling rapid task switching while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic peripheral identification and configuration. When a peripheral is attached, the robotic system automatically queries the peripheral adapter for profile information, retrieves the appropriate parameters, and configures the robot without human intervention. This self-configuration process significantly reduces the time required for peripheral swapping while maintaining full adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of robotic parameters is performed for each peripheral, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision improve, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral adapter automatically provides pre-stored profile information to the robotic system upon connection. The system self-configures by retrieving parameters such as tool center points, mechanical properties, and operational limits from the peripheral adapter's memory, eliminating manual configuration while maintaining high precision through accurate, pre-programmed data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the robotic controller automatically queries the peripheral adapter for profile information and confirms successful parameter loading. This closed-loop verification ensures that the correct precision-critical parameters are retrieved and applied, maintaining manufacturing precision while simplifying operation through automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive peripheral information is stored and transmitted, then adaptability and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information architecture by separating peripheral-specific profile data (stored in the peripheral adapter) from robot control logic (in the robotic controller). This segmentation allows comprehensive peripheral information to be stored and transmitted without complicating the overall system design, as each component maintains its own data structure and communication protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral adapter acts as an intermediary that pre-processes and structures peripheral information before transmission to the robotic controller. By serving as a mediator that packages comprehensive peripheral data in standardized formats, the adapter enables full adaptability while shielding the robotic system from the complexity of raw peripheral specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for adaptively retooling robots include programmable adapters for detachably connecting at least one robotic peripheral to a robot, providing peripheral information associated with the robotic peripheral, and causing the robot to adaptively reconfigure based on the peripheral information.