Ultrasonic Tool Localization via Transmitter Axis Intersection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic localization systems for manufacturing and assembly processes require significant structural and control engineering effort, especially for mobile tools with limited power supply, and struggle to achieve high accuracy in localization.

Innovation Solution

A tool and production assistance device with ultrasonic localization where the straight line of the transmission unit and the machining longitudinal axis have a common point of intersection, allowing for precise localization without complex conversions or software calculations, using a configuration of ultrasonic transmitters to determine the tool's position and orientation efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a receiving unit with three receivers and transmitter unit with three transmitters is used for ultrasonic localization, then the position and orientation of tools can be determined, but the structural and control engineering effort becomes relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidcontrol engineering effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential localization function by using only two transmitters instead of three, removing the redundant component while maintaining the ability to determine tool position and orientation through the intersection of perpendicular bisectors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary geometric construction by defining the intersection point of perpendicular bisectors as the reference point before actual measurement, allowing direct calculation of tool position without complex real-time coordinate transformations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If a receiving unit with three receivers and transmitter unit with three transmitters is used for ultrasonic localization, then the position and orientation of tools can be determined, but the space available and power supply become limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes one transmitter from the system, reducing the power consumption and space requirements while maintaining localization functionality through the geometric relationship of the remaining two transmitters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If a receiving unit with three receivers and transmitter unit with three transmitters is used for ultrasonic localization, then the position and orientation of tools can be determined, but the outlay in terms of control technology with regard to the processing and evaluation of the signals is comparatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidcontrol technology outlay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary signal processing components by using two transmitters instead of three, reducing the computational burden for signal evaluation while maintaining localization precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary geometric setup by defining the intersection of perpendicular bisectors as the reference frame, simplifying subsequent signal processing and position calculation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If millimeter-accurate localization is achieved, then the quality and reliability of production assistance is improved, but the structural and control engineering effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction accuracyVSAvoidstructural engineering effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves millimeter accuracy by performing preliminary geometric construction of the reference frame based on the intersection of perpendicular bisectors, allowing precise localization without complex structural modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves high precision with simplified structure by using only two transmitters, removing redundant components while maintaining manufacturing accuracy through the geometric relationship of the transmitter arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the effort required for tool localization, enabling precise, millimeter-accurate production assistance and improving the reliability of production processes while minimizing power consumption and control complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a receiving unit 3 with three receivers 4, 5, 6, 7 for ultrasonic signals. The receiver unit 3 is able to locate the transmitter unit 2 via a transmitter unit 2 with three transmitters 4, 5, 6, 7 attached to tools by means of propagation time measurements of signals from the transmitters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic signal propagation: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP3132320B1Tool apparatus and manufacturing assistance device with ultrasonic position finding
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 SARISSA
  • EP3132320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3132320B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3132320B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention proposes a manufacturing assistance device and a tool apparatus (1) comprising a processing tool for processing a workpiece and comprising an ultrasonic position finding unit for ultrasonic position finding for a manufacturing assistance device by determining at least one distance between an ultrasonic transmitter (4, 5, 6, 7) and an ultrasonic receiver by means of time-of-flight measurement of an ultrasonic measurement signal, wherein a transmitting unit (2) comprises at least two ultrasonic transmitters arranged on a straight line (8, 9), wherein the processing tool has a processing longitudinal axis (11), said apparatus/device requiring less outlay and achieving, in particular, more precise position finding and/or manufacture. This is realized by virtue of the fact that the straight line (8, 9) of the transmitting unit (2) and the processing longitudinal axis (11) have a common intersection point (10).