Patent Application
20060196299
This invention is directed to automated or remote-controlled mechanisms for generating precise seven-degrees-of-freedom position and motion trajectories for tool tips, end effectors, biological specimens, platforms, workpieces, and the like.
The scope of this invention includes applications as diverse as medical procedures such as arthroscopic surgery or ophthalmic exams, biological specimen articulation, sensor or specimen articulation, as in x-ray diffractometry, microscopy, manufacturing assembly, parts machining, and motion simulation. Most mechanisms for six or more axis of articulation of an end effector are based on analogous simulation of the human arm with its links (bones) and joints. These structural analog features allow the hand which is an analog of the end effector to be moved and positioned with six or more degrees of freedom with respect to an otherwise stationary body. Such “elbowed” mechanisms known as robot arms in the art, however, lack desirable stiffness and require highly complex or computer controlled actuation of its driving motors to achieve even simple motion, such as arcuate motion. The analysis of the position and motion of the links of robot arms which are serially distributed is complicated when the analysis work backwards, i.e., from the “hand” to the fixed stationary body. The set optimum joint angles is sometimes an infinite set.
“Parallel” link mechanisms can provide improved motion analysis computations for computer control over that of the serial link robot arm. This approach has led to a number of multi-non-geometrically parallel link mechanisms. Prior art examples include U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,421 to Peterson (1966) which describes a six-legged “parallel” mechanism for moving a platform with six degrees of freedom. A further example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,224 to Cappel (1967), which is also a six legged “parallel” mechanism which works as a motion simulator such as the six degrees of freedom of helicopter flight. Still a further example of a multi-“parallel” link mechanism is U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,158 to Sheldon, et. al., (1994), which also describes a platform controlled by six variable length legs. A tendon link mechanism improvement upon the six-legged platform design is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,127 to Moran (2005).
Characteristic of the prior art is that the position and motion of the end effector is confounded by the non-orthogonal nature of the linkage motion, that is, most if not all motion (e.g., circular or orbital) of the end-effector requires the actuation of all six actuators in each leg as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,280,421, 3,295,224, and 5,354,158 or tendon as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,127. This complex actuation process requires a computer program which can run slower because of the parallel actuations that are needed. The motion/position can be difficult to compute because of the non orthogonal geometry and in determined nature of the problem. Further compounding the problem is that the degree of uncertainty of each leg or tendon is in multiple indeterminate directions, creating an extremely complex effect.
In accordance with the present invention, a seven axis end effector articulating mechanism is remotely or computer-controlled to produce accurate and tractable seven degrees of freedom motion and positioning of an end effector fixture element. Tools, platforms, workpieces, biological specimens, surgical instruments, mechanical grippers, radiation detectors, and the like may be mounted on the end effector fixture element to perform useful work.
To provide an improved six-degree of freedom motion articulating end effector positioner mechanism with an added degree of tractable motion.
To provide a seven-degree of freedom motion end effector articulating mechanism with totally independent, accurate, tractable, orthogonal motion actuation thereby drastically simplifying the control and speed of the actuators to achieve a given geometric position or trajectory.
To provide a seven-degree of freedom motion end effector articulating mechanism with economical robust highly accurate feedback.
To provide a seven-degree of freedom motion end effector articulating mechanism capable of real-time computer control with a human and/or computer interface.
Still further objectives and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawing.
Supporting, fastening and aligning members as well as connecting power, sensors, and control wires are omitted to promote the clarity.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
Further articulated motion is imparted to end-effector attachment element 7 by geometrically parallel linkages 17 and 19, shown truncated by breaks in
Linkages 43 attached to linkages 17 and 13 by pivot axis 45 and 47 respectively is rigidly attached to gear 41 which pivots at pivot axis 51 which passes perpendicular through axis 3. On account of the parallel linkages (17, 19, 22, and 43) and pivot axes (13, 15, 25, 45, and 47) rotation of gear 41 will impart to end-effector holder 11 rotational motion 6 about point 1 exactly equal to the rotary motion of gear 41 about pivot axis 51.
Actuation of gear 41 is accomplished by servo motor 37 (of the type well known in the art) which is attached to fixture plate 35. Servo motor 37 couples rotary motion through gear 39 coupled to gear 41. Servo motor 37 is remotely actuated or computer controlled as is well known in the art.
The entire assembly of end effector holder 11, linkages (17, 19, 22, and 23) linkage pivot axis block 27, fixture plate 35 with motor 37, gears 39 and 41, pivot axis 51, and rod 29 are axially rotated about axis 3 within bearings 33 and 55 by motion imparted to gear 53 by servo motor 59 through coupling gear 57. Servo motor 59 is controlled in a manner similar to 37. Axis 3 is aligned to pass through point 1. Rotary motions 4 and 6 are thus the azimuth and elevation motion axis of a spherical coordinate system centered at point 1. Radial motion 9 of the end-effector attachment element 7 is the radius vector motion of said spherical coordinate system.
The orthogonal x, y, z translation of the entire above described system is accomplished by a set of servo motor linear translation stages well known in the art, attached orthogonally and serially to the system at frame 31. Referring to
Very high accuracy and unconfounded position or motion feedback is obtained, by rotary shaft encoders located at pivot point 13 and or 15 and at bearing 33 or 55. Rotary shaft encoders are well known in the art. As the axes are all independent human or computer control of the end effector position and motion can be readily accomplished with extreme accuracy.
Although the above description contains many specific arrangements details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing an illustration of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention.
The scope of usage is very broad including but not limited to: machining parts, medical procedures, arthroscopic surgery, ophthalmic exams, biological specimen articulation, picking and placing, sensor or specimen articulation as in x-ray diffraction, microscopy, manufacturing assembly, and motion simulation.
