Vehicle Body Bolt Attachment Using Dual-Camera Robot Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for attaching bolts to vehicle bodies are imprecise, time-consuming, and costly due to manual adjustments and lack of compensation for body and tool variations, potentially causing damage and requiring process interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a fastening device with a robot-supported tool and ground-mounted camera system to capture images and determine precise positional data, enabling automated and efficient attachment of bolts to vehicle bodies, compensating for body and tool variations without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional manual methods are used for bolt attachment, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but precision and productivity deteriorate due to imprecise positioning and time-consuming manual adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt attachment precisionVSAvoidfastening device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated robot system equipped with cameras and electronic computing devices. The robot uses image capture and processing to automatically determine the attachment point position, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment while achieving high precision bolt attachment.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses camera images to create a digital representation of the attachment point and surrounding area. By processing these images, the system determines the precise position without physical contact or manual measurement, allowing accurate positioning through information copying rather than direct mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If automated robot systems are implemented for bolt attachment, then productivity and precision improve, but device complexity and initial costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt attachment speedVSAvoidfastening device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing images with attached cameras, processing images to determine positions, moving the bolt to the correct location, and executing the attachment. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into a single integrated system, improving productivity while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own camera images to automatically determine the attachment point position without external guidance or manual intervention. The electronic computing device processes the captured images self-sufficiently to guide the robot's movements and positioning, making the system self-directed and reducing the need for external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustments are made during bolt attachment, then adaptability to body variations is maintained, but time consumption and production interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to body variationsVSAvoidproduction time loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures images and determines the attachment point position before the actual bolt attachment process begins. By pre-processing the positional information through image analysis, the robot is already prepared with the correct positioning data, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments during the attachment operation itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from camera images to automatically adjust and determine the precise attachment point position. The electronic computing device continuously processes visual information to adapt to body variations, allowing the robot to self-correct positioning without manual intervention and maintain accuracy throughout the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4650118A1Method for attaching a bolt to a body of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4650118A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4650118A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4650118A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for attaching a bolt (2) to a body (1) of a vehicle, wherein the bolt (2) is moved in relation to the body (1) to an attachment point of the body (1) by a fastening device (3). The fastening device (3) comprises a robot (4) supported on a ground (5), a tool (8) attached to the robot (4), a first camera (9) attached to the robot (4), and a second camera (10) supported on the ground (5) independently of the robot (4). The bolt (2) is held on the tool (8). At least one first image of at least an area (A) of the body (1) is captured by the first camera (9), the area (A) comprising the attachment point. At least one second image (I1) of at least one point (P1) of the tool (8) is captured by the second camera (10).