Robot Arm Control Modes for Tool-Specific Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multipurpose robot arms face challenges in programming accuracy and precision, as users struggle to configure them for various tasks without compromising speed or quality, particularly when switching between different tools like welding and screwing.

Innovation Solution

The robot arm operates in two modes: a standard mode for general operations and an application-specific mode, where operation parameters are adjusted based on the tool mounted, allowing for optimized control and precision without requiring detailed programming knowledge, by using predetermined operation values and tool-specific commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the robot arm operates in standard mode for general operations, then speed and productivity are maintained, but accuracy and precision deteriorate when switching between different tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation speedVSAvoidprogramming accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The robot controller dynamically switches between standard mode and application-specific mode based on the tool being used. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance parameters in real-time, achieving high speed in standard mode and high precision in application-specific mode without manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters automatically based on the tool mounted on the robot arm. Different tools trigger different parameter sets (speed, acceleration, positioning precision), allowing the robot to maintain optimal performance characteristics for each specific application without requiring manual parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the robot arm is configured for high precision operations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and programming difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation precisionVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot controller automatically configures itself based on the tool mounted on the arm. The system self-determines the appropriate operational mode and parameter settings without requiring the operator to manually program precision parameters, thereby reducing programming complexity while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A single robot arm can perform multiple different tasks (welding, screwing, handling) by simply changing the tool, and the controller automatically adapts to each task. This multi-functionality is achieved through a universal control system that manages different operational modes through a unified interface, reducing the need for separate programming for each application

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

3Manufacturing precision

If the robot arm operates in application-specific mode for precision tasks, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity and operation speed decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask accuracyVSAvoidoperation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot controller periodically evaluates which operational mode should be active based on the current tool and task requirements. This periodic switching between standard and application-specific modes ensures that the robot operates at high speed when precision is not critical and switches to high precision mode only when needed, optimizing the balance between productivity and accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3976323B1Control of a multipurpose robot arm
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 UNIVERSAL ROBOT
  • EP3976323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3976323B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3976323B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multipurpose robot arm having a controller configured to control the motion hereof during an operation process according to a plurality of basic operation commands. Wherein the robot controller is configured to control the multipurpose robot arm in a standard mode of operation according to a first subset of the basic operation commands and in an application specific operation mode during part of the robot arm operation process according to a second subset of the basic operation commands. Wherein basic operation commands of the second subset are at least partly comprised by the first subset and wherein at least one of the operation parameters of the second subset is limited by a application operation value. Wherein the application operation value is defined by a desired property of the operation of the multipurpose robot arm in the application specific operation mode.