Sensor-Guided Workpiece Alignment for Mobile Robot Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems in automobile manufacturing lines face challenges in accurately aligning the orientation of workpieces, such as automobile bodies, due to the use of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that can transport the workpieces with slight deviations from the reference orientation, leading to positioning inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A robot system incorporating an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) equipped with a sensor to detect inclination and a rotary table or instant turning capability to correct the orientation of the workpiece, allowing precise alignment with the reference orientation before work commences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If AGV transports workpiece along magnetic tape, then workpiece can be delivered to work area, but workpiece orientation cannot be accurately aligned with reference orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical guide system (magnetic tape and physical guides) with an autonomous mobile robot equipped with sensors and navigation capabilities. The AMR uses sensors to detect its position and orientation, then autonomously navigates to the work area and aligns the workpiece without requiring complex mechanical guiding infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous mobile robot performs self-positioning and self-alignment operations. It uses its own sensors to detect inclination and determines its orientation relative to the reference, then autonomously corrects its position without external guidance systems or manual intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If pair of guide rollers and positioning device are used, then workpiece position can be partially adjusted, but orientation alignment accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical positioning device with an autonomous mobile robot that uses sensors and autonomous navigation. Instead of relying on mechanical rollers and positioning mechanisms, the AMR uses sensor-based detection and software-controlled navigation to achieve precise orientation alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The AMR incorporates sensors that continuously detect the workpiece orientation and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the robot autonomously adjusts its position and orientation to achieve accurate alignment with the reference orientation.
3Manufacturing precision
If AGV transports workpiece, then workpiece can be delivered to work area, but inclination detection and correction capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobile robot is equipped with sensors that detect workpiece inclination and provide real-time feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the robot autonomously calculates and executes correction maneuvers to align the workpiece with the reference orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The AMR performs self-correction of workpiece orientation without external intervention. It uses its own sensors to detect inclination, determines the required correction, and autonomously executes the alignment operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system includes: a robot that is configured to perform work on a workpiece transported to a work area; a sensor that is configured to output a signal related to inclination of the workpiece with respect to a reference orientation when the robot performs work on the workpiece, the signal being related to the inclination of the workpiece that arrived at the work area; and a transport vehicle that is configured to transport the workpiece to the work area and configured to correct the inclination of the workpiece based on the signal from the sensor so that the workpiece is aligned with the reference orientation in the work area.