Robot Arm Tool Image Checking for Type and State Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot arm systems lack an effective method to accurately determine whether attached tools are of the correct type and in the proper state, which is crucial for performing specific processing operations.

Innovation Solution

A tool checking device and method that utilize image processing to analyze captured images of the tool attached to the robot arm, extracting specific areas related to the tool type and state, and determining whether the tool conditions are met based on processed images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If no specific configuration is provided for determining tool conditions, then the robot arm system remains simple, but the accuracy of determining whether the tool satisfies tool conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of determining tool conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of tool checking system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical or manual tool condition verification with an optical system. An imaging device captures images of the tool, and image processing extracts relevant information about tool type and state. This substitution of mechanical verification with optical-mechanical image processing achieves accurate tool condition determination without requiring complex mechanical sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual verification of tool conditions is performed, then the system remains simple, but the productivity and reliability of robot arm operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of robot arm operationsVSAvoidlevel of automated tool checking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-verification of tool conditions. The imaging device automatically captures images of the tool, and the image processing unit automatically extracts and analyzes tool type and state information. This automation eliminates the need for manual verification, thereby improving productivity and operational reliability while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If comprehensive tool condition checking is implemented, then the reliability of processing operations improves, but the time required for tool verification increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of processing operationsVSAvoidtime for tool condition verification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for tool condition verification from the captured images. The image processing unit specifically extracts features related to tool type and tool state, ignoring irrelevant details. This selective extraction enables comprehensive tool condition checking to be performed quickly, reducing verification time while maintaining high reliability of processing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20240033933A1Tool checking device, storage device storing tool checking program, and tool checking method for robot arm

Publication Date: 2024.02.01 MAYEKAWA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A tool checking device for a robot arm includes: an image processing unit configured to perform, on a captured image of a tool attached to the robot arm, image processing associated with a tool condition regarding a tool type or tool state that needs to be satisfied by the tool, and generate a processed image in which a related area associated with the tool condition is extracted; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the tool attached to the robot arm satisfies the tool condition, on the basis of the processed image.