Robot Braking Simulation Using Final State Ranges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for simulating a robot's braking operation are limited in reliability and meaningfulness due to variations in friction characteristics and braking torques, particularly when calculating virtual movement ranges based solely on individual standstill points.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a dynamic model to simulate a braking operation, accounting for variations in robot parameters through interval arithmetic, predicting final state ranges including standstill and movement poses, and determining design variables for safety devices by simulating braking operations with specified parameter variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If braking distance is calculated for individual standstill points on a movement path, then the calculation is simple and fast, but the reliability and meaningfulness of the virtual movement range is limited due to variations in friction characteristics and braking torques

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of simulationVSAvoidcomplexity of simulation method
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by determining a range of possible final states instead of a single final state, taking into account variations in friction characteristics and braking torques. This is achieved by calculating braking distances for multiple selectable points on the movement path and determining a virtual movement range that includes maximally achievable positions considering these parameter variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from calculating a single braking distance value to determining a range of final states by adding the dimension of parameter variation. This involves calculating braking distances for multiple points and representing the result as a virtual movement range that encompasses multiple possible positions, thereby moving from a one-dimensional calculation to a multi-dimensional state space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If braking operation is simulated using a dynamic model with parameter variations, then the meaningfulness and reliability of the simulation is improved, but the computational effort and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of final state determinationVSAvoidsimulation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing braking distances for multiple selectable points on the movement path. These pre-computed values are then used to determine the virtual movement range, avoiding the need to perform full dynamic simulations for each possible final state and thereby reducing computational effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the movement path into multiple selectable points and calculates braking distances for each point independently. This segmentation allows the complex problem of determining the virtual movement range to be broken down into simpler sub-problems of calculating individual braking distances, which can then be combined to form the overall range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11633858B2Method and system for simulating a braking operation of a robot
Publication Date: 2023.04.25 KUKA DEUT GMBH
  • US11633858B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for simulating a braking operation of a robot wherein a dynamic model of the robot is used to determine, for a given initial state of the robot, a final state range with a plurality of possible final states of the robot as a result of the simulated braking operation.