Seat Track Position Correction for Robotic Loading Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat track loading and unloading processes using automated systems often result in misalignment and potential collisions due to slight distortions, leading to reduced vehicle quality and production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing an unmanned transport vehicle and a seat track loading/unloading robot, equipped with cameras and processors, to accurately correct the position of seat tracks using image recognition and RFID technology, ensuring precise alignment on pallets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a robot grips the seat track for automated loading, then automation is improved, but the seat track may be distorted and misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautomationVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the robot grip and move the seat track to a preliminary position first, then uses vision systems and correction mechanisms to adjust the position before final placement, preventing distortion and misalignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through vision systems that detect the seat track position and distortion, then feed this information back to the control system which adjusts the robot's gripping force and positioning to correct misalignment in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the seat track is manually loaded by workers, then alignment precision is maintained, but labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidlabor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by equipping the robot with vision systems and correction capabilities, allowing it to independently detect and correct its own positioning errors without human intervention, maintaining precision while achieving automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical skill of manual workers with an automated system combining robotic manipulation, vision detection, and computational correction algorithms to achieve both automation and precision

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If the seat track is gripped tightly by the robot, then gripping stability is improved, but distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping stabilityVSAvoidseat track shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the gripping force adjustable and adaptive, allowing the robot to apply sufficient force for stable gripping while dynamically adjusting to prevent excessive force that would cause distortion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by adjusting the robot's gripping force parameters based on vision system feedback, optimizing the balance between gripping stability and preventing distortion through real-time parameter modification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4603234A1Seat track loading/unloading system and method, and system and method for correcting loading settlement position of seat track
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 HANUL SYST CO LTD
  • EP4603234A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4603234A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4603234A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed is a seat track loading/unloading system including a cart where a seat track is loaded and unloaded, an unmanned transport vehicle configured to carry the cart, a seat track loading/unloading robot on which a gripper is mounted to unload the seat track from the cart, and a conveyor on which the seat track is loaded, and a corresponding method. Further disclosed are a system for correcting a loading settlement position of a seat track, and a method of correcting a loading settlement position of a seat track.