Virtual Robot Arraying Simulation for Conveyor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method to simulate and verify the article arraying operations performed by robots, particularly in verifying the validity of operation programs and parameters, which results in increased time and cost for setting up production systems.
Innovation Solution
A simulation device and method that models a conveyor, articles, and a robot in a virtual space, simulating conveying, detecting, and arraying motions to generate a regular arrangement pattern, allowing for the validation of operation programs and parameters in a virtual environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a robot system is set up to perform article arraying operations, then the system can automate production processes, but the setup time and cost increase due to lack of simulation verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating and executing a simulation of the article arraying operation before actual implementation. The simulation verifies the operation program and parameters in advance, allowing corrections to be made before the robot system is physically set up, thereby reducing setup time and cost while maintaining automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating a virtual copy of the robot system, conveyor, and articles in a simulation environment. This virtual model allows verification of operation programs without affecting the physical system, enabling iterative testing and optimization before actual deployment
2Reliability
If operation programs are verified through physical setup and testing, then validity can be confirmed, but time and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual copy of the robot system to verify operation program validity. The simulation executes the same operation program on virtual articles and conveyor, confirming correctness without requiring physical setup and testing, thus maintaining reliability verification while reducing time
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation performs preliminary verification of operation programs before physical implementation. By detecting potential issues in the virtual environment, the system ensures operation validity is confirmed in advance, reducing the need for time-consuming physical debugging
3Loss of time
If simulation of article arraying operation is implemented, then setup time and cost are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model that copies the essential elements of the physical system (robot, conveyor, articles). This copying approach enables simulation functionality without requiring additional physical hardware, reducing setup time while managing complexity through software-based virtual representation
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system serves multiple functions: verifying operation programs, testing parameters, detecting potential issues, and training operators. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive verification capabilities that reduce overall setup time and cost across multiple objectives
Data Source
AI summary
A simulation device for a robot rearranging articles in a random arrangement on a conveyor to a regular arrangement while tracking the conveyor. The simulation device includes a model locating section for locating a conveyor model, a plurality of article models, a sensor model and an arraying robot model in a virtual space; a conveying motion simulating section for making the conveyor model convey the article models in the random arrangement; a detecting motion simulating section for making the sensor model obtain position information of the article models; an arrangement pattern generating section for generating an arrangement pattern on the conveyor model; and an arraying motion simulating section for making the arraying robot model pick up the article models in the random arrangement and place the picked-up article models in accordance with the arrangement pattern, while tracking an article conveying motion.