Multi-axis Robot Control Bus Architecture for Wiring Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-axis robots face complex and costly installation and debugging due to numerous cables required for control and feedback signal transmission, leading to inefficiencies in path computation and closed-loop control.
Innovation Solution
A multi-axis robot control system utilizing a single functional bus that links the calculation and processing unit to both the power module and position sensors, minimizing cable count and incorporating separate structural buses for improved noise immunity and bandwidth, allowing for centralized path generation and efficient closed-loop control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wiring with multiple cables is used to connect control units, power modules, and position sensors, then reliable signal transmission is achieved, but installation complexity and debugging time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate cable connections (control signals, power supply, and feedback signals) into a single functional bus system. The controller, power modules, and position sensors are all interconnected through this unified bus, eliminating the need for numerous separate cables and significantly reducing wiring complexity while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional bus serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits control signals from the controller to power modules, carries feedback signals from position sensors to the controller, and provides power supply connections. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate dedicated cables for each function.
2Reliability
If multiple separate cables are used for control and feedback signals, then signal integrity is maintained, but installation time and debugging costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cable installations are merged into a single bus installation process. The functional bus integrates control signal transmission, feedback signal reception, and power supply connections, reducing installation time from multiple separate cable routing operations to a single unified installation while maintaining signal integrity through the structured bus architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If analog signals are used for feedback transmission, then compatibility with existing sensors is achieved, but signal quality and noise immunity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog signal transmission with digital signal transmission over the functional bus. Digital signals are inherently more immune to noise and electromagnetic interference compared to analog signals, improving signal quality and reliability while maintaining compatibility with existing sensors through appropriate interface circuits that convert sensor outputs to digital format for bus transmission.
4Device complexity
If a single functional bus is used to connect all components, then wiring complexity is reduced, but bandwidth requirements for the bus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The functional bus is designed as a multi-functional communication medium that handles multiple types of data traffic simultaneously: control commands from the controller to power modules, feedback data from position sensors to the controller, status information, and power supply signals. This consolidation reduces wiring complexity while the bus architecture provides sufficient bandwidth capacity to handle all these functions through time-division multiplexing or parallel communication channels.
Data Source
AI summary
The robot comprises: —a controller (C), including power modules (22) for supplying the motors (10) of the arm (A) of the robot (R), a CPU unit (26), for calculation and processing and connection means (52, B), between the arm (A), the power modules (22) and the CPU unit (26). The connection means (52, B) comprise a single functional bus (B) which connects a control unit (30), associated with the CPU unit (26), firstly to the power modules (22) and, also, to the digital interfaces (14) with the sensors (12) of the arms (A). Said interfaces (14) are either integrated with the arm (A) or located in the immediate vicinity thereof.