Self-Calibrating Positioning System Using Reference Markings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positioning system calibration methods are inefficient and costly, particularly for machines with varying target space sizes, as they require multiple calibration boards and high-quality materials that withstand temperature variations, and often result in inaccurate positioning due to imperfect calibration boards.
Innovation Solution
A self-calibration method using a reference device with discernable features positioned at multiple calibration locations within the working space, where non-contact measurements minimize differences in relative positions to achieve accurate conversion between actual and nominal coordinates, allowing for calibration of differently sized positioning systems with improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional calibration boards are used to calibrate positioning systems, then calibration accuracy can be improved, but the cost increases and the complexity increases due to needing multiple boards for different target space sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single calibration board that can be used across multiple positioning systems with different target space sizes. The calibration board includes reference markings that can be universally measured and used to determine conversion values for different coordinate systems, eliminating the need for multiple specialized calibration boards for different machine sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital representation of the calibration board's reference markings through non-contact measurement. The sensed locations of reference markings are stored and used to compute conversion values, allowing the calibration information to be replicated and applied across different positioning systems without physically reproducing multiple calibration boards.
2Reliability
If high-quality calibration boards are used to withstand temperature variations, then calibration reliability can be improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical requirement for expensive, temperature-resistant calibration board materials with a non-contact measurement system. By using optical or other non-contact sensing methods, the system can accurately measure reference markings on simpler, less expensive calibration boards without requiring the board materials to withstand temperature variations through expensive specialized materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the use of simpler, less expensive calibration boards that do not require expensive temperature-resistant materials. The calibration board can be a more basic structure with reference markings that are measured non-contactly, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining calibration reliability through the measurement and computation process rather than material properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple calibration boards are used for different target space sizes, then adaptability can be improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves adaptability through universality by designing a single calibration board with reference markings that can be measured and used for calibrating positioning systems of various target space sizes. The same calibration board serves multiple functions across different machine configurations, eliminating the need to maintain inventories of multiple specialized calibration boards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by computing different conversion values based on the measured positions of reference markings relative to different target space configurations. The same physical calibration board produces different calibration parameters depending on how the positioning system is configured and what target space size is being calibrated, allowing one board to adapt to multiple applications through computational parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of self calibrating a positioning system, by positioning a reference device provided with reference markings at different calibration locations, and sensing the positions of the reference markings at each calibration location, is provided. The calibration parameters are selected such that differences in relative positions of the sensed locations, expressed in actual coordinates for different calibration locations are reduced or preferably minimized.