Industrial Robot Manual Programming Force Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial robots risk damaging objects during programming, especially when guided near or on the surface of workpieces, due to excessive force or torque application.

Innovation Solution

A method involving manual movement of the robot along a spatial curve near an object, with real-time measurement and automatic correction of force and torque to maintain within predetermined maximum limits, and storing actual position values for later automated operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the robot is manually guided along a spatial curve near or on the surface of an object during programming, then the programming precision and ability to follow contours is improved, but the risk of damaging the object due to excessive force or torque increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming precisionVSAvoidobject damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements force/torque sensing with real-time measurement during manual robot movement. The control system continuously monitors the force and torque values and provides feedback to automatically correct the robot's movement, ensuring that predetermined maximum force and torque limits are not exceeded while maintaining programming precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the robot's movement during manual guidance by automatically correcting position based on real-time force/torque measurements. The correction magnitude and direction are dynamically determined to maintain force/torque within safe limits while following the desired spatial curve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the robot applies sufficient force to maintain contact with the object during programming, then the ability to follow surface contours is improved, but the risk of applying excessive force that damages the object increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact maintenanceVSAvoidexcessive force application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The force/torque sensor provides continuous feedback on the contact force between the robot and object. The control system uses this feedback to automatically adjust the robot's movement, maintaining contact when needed while preventing excessive force application that could damage the object

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the force/torque parameters in real-time during robot movement. By monitoring and adjusting these parameters, the system maintains reliable contact for contour following while ensuring force remains within safe limits to prevent object damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces the risk of object damage by ensuring consistent and controlled force and torque application during programming, allowing precise contour following without harming the object.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a force acting on the industrial robot due to contact with the object and/or a torque acting on the industrial robot due to contact with the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2000872B1Industrial robot and method for programming an industrial robot
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 KUKA LAB GMBH
  • EP2000872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2000872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2000872B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves manually moving an industrial robot (R) along a space curve, which runs along proximity of a surface of an object (19). Force caused due to contact with the object and the torque caused due to contact with the object during manual movement are measured. The robot movement during manual movement along the curve is corrected automatically so that the force is equal to a predetermined maximum force, and the torque is equal to a predetermined torque. Position-actual-values of the robot during movement along curved are stored. An independent claim is also included for an industrial robot.