Robot Workspace Control With Real-Time Path Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robot systems require manual setting of teaching points and recreation of air-cut paths when the work environment changes, making them unsuitable for multiproduct production with frequent task changes, and they lack intuitive user interaction.

Innovation Solution

A robot system that autonomously recognizes the work environment and generates real-time paths for the robot based on predefined work requirements without using teaching points, allowing flexible operation and online control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual setting of teaching points and recreation of air-cut paths is used, then robot operation precision is maintained, but user load increases and adaptability to multiproduct production decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to multiproduct productionVSAvoiduser load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system performs automatic recognition of the work environment and autonomous generation of operation paths without requiring manual teaching point setting. The robot independently identifies workpiece positions, postures, and processing target regions, then generates appropriate paths based on predefined work requirements, eliminating the need for user intervention in path recreation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical teaching operations with automated vision-based recognition and computational path planning. Sensors and cameras detect workpiece characteristics, and software algorithms automatically generate motion paths, substituting the mechanical process of manual teaching with an automated information processing system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If teaching points are used for robot control, then operation precision is ensured, but flexibility for frequent task changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for task changesVSAvoidtime for path recreation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to changing work environments by recognizing workpiece positions and postures in real-time and automatically regenerating operation paths. Instead of relying on fixed teaching points, the robot continuously adjusts its path planning based on current environmental conditions and work requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Work requirements including processing target regions and path constraints are predefined before actual operation. When task changes occur, the system quickly generates new paths based on these pre-established requirements and current workpiece detection results, avoiding time-consuming manual teaching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If manual positioning and jigs are used, then workpiece processing precision is maintained, but device complexity and user operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece processing precisionVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Physical positioning devices and jigs are replaced with vision-based detection systems. Sensors and cameras capture workpiece location and orientation data, which are then processed computationally to determine processing target regions and generate appropriate robot paths, eliminating complex mechanical positioning infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital representation of the workpiece and its environment through sensor detection. This virtual model includes workpiece position, posture, and geometry information, which is used for path planning and control, replacing the need for physical positioning references and jigs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4241930A1Robot control in working space
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP4241930A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4241930A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4241930A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A robot system includes a storage unit configured to store a predefined work requirement that indicates a processing target region of a workpiece to be processed by a robot; a recognition unit configured to recognize an environment of a working space in which the workpiece is placed, as a work environment, wherein the work environment includes a position and a posture of the workpiece placed in the working space; a generation unit configured to identify the processing target region of the workpiece placed in the working space, based on the position and posture of the workpiece placed in the working space, and generate, in real-time, a path of the robot to operate on the identified processing target region based on the work requirement and the identified processing target region; and a control unit configured to control the robot based on the generated path.