Robot Base Assembly Mechanical Locating Clamp

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vision-guided systems for locating work pieces relative to robotic arms require additional training for manufacturing workers and can cause manufacturing line downtime due to camera or sensor obstructions.

Innovation Solution

A robot base assembly that mechanically locates a robotic arm relative to a work piece using a clamp assembly and lock mechanism, allowing for precise positioning without the need for complex vision systems, by sliding a support member along a base plate and engaging a clamp with a locating component on a work piece or transport assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vision guided systems are used to locate work piece relative to robotic arm, then distance measurement capability is provided, but additional training for manufacturing workers is required and manufacturing line downtime increases when camera or sensor is obscured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurementVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical vision system with a mechanical locating component system. The work piece includes a locating component (such as a flange or mounting feature) that mechanically interfaces with the robotic arm base, providing direct physical positioning instead of optical measurement. This eliminates cameras and sensors, thereby removing the need for worker training on complex vision systems and preventing downtime due to obscuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If vision guided systems are used to locate work piece relative to robotic arm, then distance measurement capability is provided, but manufacturing line downtime increases when camera or sensor is obscured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurementVSAvoidmanufacturing line downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical vision system with a mechanical locating component system. The work piece includes a locating component (such as a flange or mounting feature) that mechanically interfaces with the robotic arm base, providing direct physical positioning instead of optical measurement. This eliminates cameras and sensors, thereby removing the need for worker training on complex vision systems and preventing downtime due to obscuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If clamp assembly engages with locating component, then robotic arm positioning is secured, but support member linear displacement is inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidadjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The support member is slidable along the base plate and can be locked at various positions using the lock mechanism. When the clamp assembly engages with the locating component, the lock mechanism secures the support member at the desired position, providing both adjustability during positioning and stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11565400B2Robot base assemblies

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A robot base assembly that supports a robot assembly above a floor. The robot assembly engages with a work piece having a locating component. The robot base assembly includes a base plate coupled to the floor, a support member slidably coupled to the base plate for linear displacement, a clamp assembly coupled to the support member, and a lock mechanism. The clamp assembly is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. In the engaged state the clamp assembly engages with the locating component. The lock mechanism is movable between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state the support member is inhibited from linear displacement, and in the unlocked state the support member is permitted for linear displacement. The lock mechanism switches from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to the clamp assembly moving from the disengaged state to the engaged state.