Reconfigurable Motion Generator for Multi-Phase Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mechanical devices for motion generation either lack flexibility and are costly, like industrial robots, or are inflexible and inexpensive, like cams and linkages, making them inadequate for tasks requiring both speed and adaptability in automation.
Innovation Solution
Reconfigurable Motion Generators (RMGs) that use a single actuator to achieve complex multi-phase motions, incorporating revolute joints and adjustable link lengths and pivot locations, allowing for various configurations and tasks without the need for additional actuators, and employing wired or wireless brake control for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional hard automation linkage or cam driven mechanisms are used, then speed and cost are improved, but flexibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mechanism structure changeable during operation. The reconfigurable motion generator allows links to be dynamically repositioned and reconnected to transform the mechanism from a single-degree-of-freedom configuration to a multi-degree-of-freedom configuration, enabling the system to adapt its flexibility while maintaining speed capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single mechanism that can perform multiple functions through reconfiguration. The same physical components (links and joints) can be arranged in different configurations to accomplish different motion generation tasks, making the system universally applicable to various automation tasks rather than dedicated to a single function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi degree of freedom serial chain manipulators are used, then flexibility is improved, but cost and cycle time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to transform a simple single-degree-of-freedom mechanism into a multi-degree-of-freedom mechanism only when needed for specific tasks. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to achieve the flexibility of complex manipulators without permanently having the complexity, reducing both cost and cycle time while maintaining adaptability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mechanism into separate reusable links and joints that can be independently positioned and reconnected. This modular approach allows the system to achieve multi-degree-of-freedom capability through reconfiguration rather than requiring a permanently complex serial chain structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reconfigurable motion generators are used, then adaptability is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by designing universal components (standardized links and joints) that can serve multiple functions across different configurations. The same physical components are used whether the mechanism is in a simple or complex state, allowing operational flexibility to increase without proportionally increasing the number of unique parts or overall mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable motion generator and control system for multi-phase motion generation. Reconfigurable motion generators are a new class of mechanical devices that are designed for a specific part family and their associated motion generation tasks. The reconfigurable motion generator may utilize revolute joints for link length and pivot adjustment to achieve different configurations from the same set of links. Due to the nature of adjustment of the mechanism this methodology may be used for different types of motion generation tasks such as (a) common start position, (b) common end position, (c) common intermediate position, and (d) distinct motion generation tasks with no common positions. This technique can be applied towards the synthesis of reconfigurable motion generators for use in many planar or spherical applications involving multi-phase function, path, and motion generation tasks.