Robot Connector Insertion with Axis Alignment for Smooth Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector insertion methods lack a planned approach, leading to potential difficulties in smooth insertion, increased time, and risk of damage to connectors during the process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a robot system that includes gripping, axis shifting, first insertion, axis alignment, and second insertion steps to align and insert a first connector into a second connector, ensuring precise alignment and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connector insertion is performed without a planned approach, then the process is simple, but the insertion may not be smooth, taking more time and risking damage to connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The connector insertion process is divided into multiple distinct steps: approach step (moving the first connector toward the second connector), insertion step (inserting the distal end section of the first connector into the second connector), and aligning step (aligning the central axes of both connectors). This segmentation transforms a single complex operation into manageable sub-tasks, improving reliability while maintaining reasonable process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The approach step is performed before the insertion step to preliminarily position the first connector near the second connector. This preliminary action ensures that the connectors are properly positioned and oriented before the actual insertion occurs, reducing the risk of damage and improving insertion success rate
2Manufacturing precision
If axis alignment is performed during insertion, then insertion precision is improved, but insertion time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The process separates axis alignment into a distinct aligning step that occurs after the approach step but before the final insertion step. This segmentation allows the robot to first position the connectors near each other, then carefully align their central axes, and finally complete the insertion. The alignment precision is improved without significantly impacting overall productivity because the approach step prepares the connectors for efficient alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The approach step serves as a preliminary action that positions the first connector near the second connector before alignment is performed. This preliminary positioning reduces the distance and angular deviation that need to be corrected during alignment, thereby improving alignment precision while minimizing the time required for the alignment operation itself
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector insertion method for inserting a first connector into a second connector by using a robot includes a gripping step of gripping the first connector by the robot, a first insertion step of inserting the distal end section of the first connector into the second connector in a state where the central axis of the first connector is shifted with respect to the central axis of the second connector, an axis alignment step of aligning the central axis of the first connector with the central axis of the second connector by displacing the first connector, and a second insertion step of advancing the first connector in a direction along the central axis of the first connector and inserting the first connector into the second connector.