Robot Hand Grip Force Control via Finger Position Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling robot hand grip force are inaccurate due to frictional changes and require external force sensors, making it difficult to achieve precise grip force adjustment, especially when handling various products with different physical properties.

Innovation Solution

A robot hand controlling method that calculates the driving quantity of the actuator based on the position of the fingers to adjust grip force, using a correlation between grip force and finger position to accurately control grip force without external sensors, allowing for precise grip force adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a disturbance estimation observer is used to control grip force, then grip force control is enabled, but frictional force changes cause inaccurate estimation and control difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip force controlVSAvoidgrip force estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from position sensors to detect finger position changes and uses this information to calculate actuator driving quantities. This feedback mechanism enables accurate grip force control by continuously monitoring position and adjusting driving quantity accordingly, resolving the estimation accuracy problem caused by friction variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own position sensor data to control grip force without requiring external force sensors. The robot hand's position detection capability is leveraged to infer grip force information, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If an external force sensor is added to measure grip force, then grip force measurement is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip force measurementVSAvoidsensor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the robot hand self-sufficient by using its existing position sensors to infer grip force information. The system processes position data from its own sensors to calculate the driving quantities needed for grip force control, eliminating the need for external force sensors and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The position sensors serve dual purposes: they detect finger position for motion control and provide data for grip force calculation. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor to perform both positioning and force measurement tasks, reducing the need for additional specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If an external force sensor is added to measure grip force, then grip force measurement is enabled, but robot hand size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip force measurementVSAvoidrobot hand size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The robot hand uses its own position sensing capability to infer grip force information, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external force sensors. This approach maintains compact robot hand dimensions while enabling accurate grip force measurement and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If friction compensation is attempted with hysteresis in disturbance estimation observer, then friction transition is handled, but grip force control accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction transition handlingVSAvoidgrip force control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses real-time position feedback to calculate the required actuator driving quantity. By continuously monitoring position changes and using this feedback to adjust driving commands, the system achieves accurate grip force control without relying on friction compensation models that introduce hysteresis and accuracy degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3053711B1Robot hand controlling method and robotics device
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 CANON KK
  • EP3053711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3053711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3053711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A robot hand controlling method executes calculating a position and changing grip force when the grip force for gripping a work W is to be changed in a state that fingers are gripping the work W with first grip force. In the calculating the position, the hand controlling unit uses a correlation value indicating a relationship between the grip force of the fingers and position of fixing portions, the first grip force, and second grip force that is a target value of the grip force to calculate the position of the fixing portions in gripping the work W with the second grip force. In the changing the grip force, the hand controlling unit drives a motor by calculating a driving quantity of the motor necessary for moving the fingers to the calculated position of the fixing portions.