Modular Robotic Arm Input Module Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic arms with multiple moveable arm modules face increased costs and risk of being blocked by obstacles due to the need for input modules on all modules, making it difficult to adapt to varying work environments without unnecessary expense or risk of movement failure.
Innovation Solution
A robotic arm design with at least two moveable arm modules and a manually operable input module that can be selectively mounted on different interfaces, allowing users to adapt the module placement based on requirements, minimizing costs and enhancing obstacle avoidance by automatically recognizing and responding to the interface attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If input modules are equipped on all arm modules to enable obstacle avoidance, then the reliability of movement is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines which arm modules require input modules based on the actual workspace and obstacle locations. The control unit identifies arm modules that do not require input modules for obstacle avoidance and excludes them from mandatory equipping, allowing the configuration to adapt to different operational environments rather than requiring all modules to be uniformly equipped
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the operational parameters by identifying and excluding specific arm modules from the input module requirement based on their position relative to the workspace and obstacles. This parameter-based selection (which modules need input modules vs. which don't) resolves the contradiction by making the requirement conditional rather than universal
2Ease of manufacture
If input modules are selectively mounted on fewer arm modules to reduce costs, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the risk of being blocked by obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback about the workspace environment and obstacle positions, then uses this information to determine the optimal configuration of input modules. This feedback loop ensures that input modules are placed only where necessary for obstacle avoidance, maintaining reliability while reducing unnecessary costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the workspace and obstacle configuration before finalizing the robot arm setup. By预先 determining which arm modules will be affected by obstacles and require input modules, the system avoids both over-equipping (wasting money) and under-equipping (compromising reliability)
3Adaptability or versatility
If all arm modules are equipped with input modules to handle any obstacle scenario, then the adaptability to different work environments is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit provides universal functionality by handling the intelligence of determining which arm modules need input modules. This centralizes the adaptive logic in the control unit rather than requiring each arm module to be independently equipped with input modules, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining environmental adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a robotic arm (1) with at least two arm modules (41, 42) which are moveable relative to one another and at least one manually operable input module (11) for generating control signals for the control of the robotic arm (1) on the basis of a user input. Both arm modules (41, 42) have a first interface (38, 40) onto which the input module (11) can be selectively mounted.