BALANCED ACTIVE STABILIZERS

Abstract

Positioning assemblies for use with a robot include a gimbal assembly having a gimbal's rotational center is positioned directly above a center of gravity of a payload. One or more linear counter masses and/or one or more rotating masses (flywheels) can be provided, and each can include an actuator or brake to control forces acting between the counter masses and/or flywheels and the payload and stabilize the payload during and after movement of the payload with the robot.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising: a payload; at least one rotational actuator; and a rotation sensor coupled to detect a rotation of the payload; wherein a controller is coupled to the rotation sensor and an associated rotational actuator and operable to adjust the rotational actuator based on the rotation of the payload detected by the rotation sensor.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first member operable to attach to the payload; and a second member coupled to support the first member rotatably around an axis of rotation.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the second member is coupled to a robot.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes a flywheel.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the flywheel is coupled to the rotational actuator that is operable to rotate the flywheel.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the flywheel is coupled to a brake that is operable to inhibit rotation of the flywheel.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a rotational support includes a gimbal, a hinge, or a ball joint that defines a rotational axis.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the rotational actuator is located above the rotational support.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the rotational actuator is located below the rotational support.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the rotational actuator is located between the rotational support and the payload.

11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a robot arm that can control a position of the payload.

12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a first member operable to attach to the payload; a second member coupled to support the first member rotatably around an axis of rotation, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes a flywheel; and a controller operable to adjust the flywheel to reduce a payload vibration in response to translating by the robot arm.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a drone that can control a position of the payload.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising: a first member operable to attach to the payload; and a second member coupled to support the first member rotatably around an axis of rotation, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes a flywheel; and a controller operable to adjust the flywheel to reduce a payload vibration in response to translating by the drone.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the payload includes a portion of an optical beam system.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the payload is an optical beam source or an optical element that is operable to receive and direct an optical beam to a target.

17. A method, comprising: detecting a rotation of a payload with a rotation sensor; and based on the detected rotation of the payload, adjusting at least one rotational actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a representative system that includes gimbal for positioning a payload.

[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates the positioning assembly of FIG. 1 secured to a robot arm.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a representative positioning system that includes a hinge.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a representative positioning system that includes a ball and socket.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a represent system adapted for positioning and orienting a payload.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a representative stabilizer controller.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a representative method of stabilizing a payload.

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a representative method of adjusting payload position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction and Terminology

[0021] The disclosed examples generally to pertain to systems, apparatus, and methods that can provide stable and accurate positioning at ends of robot arms or on other mobile structures such as drones or other vehicles, including car, trucks, carts, bicycles, and others. The disclosed approaches can typically reduce position errors and vibrations and can permit more precise positioning and repositioning by compensating or otherwise responding to linear and angular vibration by adjusting one or more counter masses or flywheels with associated actuators. Adjustment of counter masses or rotatable masses of flywheels with associated actuators can also permit fine tuning of payload position and orientation. Payloads can be supported with a controlled force that cancels gravity and, ideally, has zero stiffness between the payload and the mobile structure. Accelerating (and decelerating) forces can be provided to the payload for movement to new locations. These control forces can be applied without creating additional disturbances and vibrations, or disturbances and vibrations that are suitably small. In addition, a period of oscillation about an axis of rotation can be selected based on a separation of a balance weight and a payload due to an effective pendulum length.

[0022] As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term includes means comprises. Further, the term coupled does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items unless otherwise indicated.

[0023] The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combinations thereof, nor do the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. Any theories of operation are to facilitate explanation, but the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to such theories of operation.

[0024] Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus can be used in conjunction with other systems, methods, and apparatus. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like produce and provide to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms will vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0025] In some examples, values, procedures, or apparatuses are referred to as lowest, best, minimum, or the like. It will be appreciated that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection among many used functional alternatives can be made, and such selections need not be better, smaller, or otherwise preferable to other selections.

[0026] Examples are described with reference to directions indicated as above, below, upper, lower, and the like. These terms can be generally used for convenient description without implying any particular spatial orientation. However, as used herein, a center of mass (or center of gravity) is referred to herein as being lower than or below an axis of rotation when the center of mass is on an axis that is within 5, 10, 15, or 20 degrees of a vertical axis that is orthogonal to the axis of rotation in an as-used position. In addition, references to center of mass or center of gravity as being lower generally refer to positioning that is physical lower along a vertical axis.

[0027] Rotational support generally refers to an assembly that includes one or more devices that provide rotation about an axis of rotation such as a gimbal, hinge, ball and socket, a cylindrical bearing or bushing, or other rotation devices. The term actuator is used to refer to devices that can be used to adjust locations of counter masses or other objects via translations along one or more axes, or devices that can adjust rotations of one more flywheel masses, including piezoelectric devices, linear motors, voice coil motors, or others. Such adjustments can be applied to select a location of a center of mass or a moment of inertia. In some cases, such adjustments are made in response to linear or angular vibrations, typically of a payload or an associated support, and can be used to provide linear or angular braking. In other cases, adjustments are made to fine tune position. Linear or angular vibration can be detected with one or more position or rotation sensors. However, it can be convenient to provide position and/or rotation data using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) which can provide acceleration data and orientation data for one, two, or three translation axes and one, two, or three axes of rotation. As used herein, an IMU is operable to report at least one of an acceleration in a selected direction and an orientation about an axis. In some cases, actuators are used to rotate one or more flywheel masses during operation or in moving between locations to stabilize a payload orientation.

[0028] According to embodiments, a payload is moved from a first location to a second location, and one or more counter masses and/or flywheels are adjusted using associated actuators to establish or stabilize payload location and/or orientation. The disclosed approaches can be used to stabilize payloads such as light sources (from lasers, light emitting diodes, or other sources) or optical elements used to direct optical beams (such as mirrors, prisms, lenses, diffraction gratings, or other elements).

[0029] According to an embodiment, a robot holding a gimbal or other rotational mounting can move a payload to a desired location with a relatively large position error. The disclosed systems can correct or reduce this error by controlling acceleration/deceleration of one or more flywheels or counter masses while monitoring orientation via an IMU. This can allow the robot holding the payload to use a simple position controller that can be inexpensive to implement and provide rapid positioning.

Gimbal Positioner

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a gimbal-based positioning assembly 100 includes a support arm 104 that is operable for coupling to a payload 102. A slot 106 is provided for securing the payload 102 with bolts or other fasteners and an inertial measurement unit 108 is fixed with respect to the payload 102. The support arm 104 extends from a cylinder 124 that can be rotatable as shown at 120B in a bore defined in a base 128. The cylinder 124 can also be extendable along an axis 124B with respect to the base 128 to increase an effective length and associated pendulum frequency of oscillation. A collar 122 is situated about the cylinder 124 and is also rotatable about the cylinder 120 as indicated at 120B. The collar 122 is also translatable along the cylinder 124 as indicated at 124A. A gimbal 120 is rotatably fixed to the collar 122 and can be secured to a robot or other moving device with a shaft 118 that permits rotation as indicated at 120A. The gimbal 120 provides rotation of the cylinder 124, the collar 122, and the base 128 as indicated at 120C.

[0031] The base 128 includes an extension portion 130 to which first and second counter mass assemblies 132, 134 can be secured. The counter mass assemblies 132, 134 include actuators 132A, 134A (typically linear actuators) and counter masses 132B, 134B, respectively. Typically, the counter masses 132B, 134B are translatable along axes 133, 135, respectively, to adjust a location of a center of mass or to compensate vibration of the payload 102. By appropriately moving one or more counter masses, the payload can be held in a balanced position and tend to remain balanced as the assembly 100 is moved or balance can be disturbed to reduced vibrations or oscillations (or to induce vibrations and oscillations). In addition, a balance weight 150 is secured to the extension portion 130 to balance the payload 102 to provide a center of mass below an axis of rotation of the gimbal 120. With the balance weight 150 situated in this way, the payload is balanced with the assembly 100 and tends to remain balanced and stable if moved. Flywheels 140, 142, 144 include rotatable masses and rotational actuators to provide rotations as indicated at 141, 143, 145, respectively. Rotation can be provided to compensate orientation errors, vibrations, or to generally stabilize the assembly. Brakes can also be included.

[0032] FIG. 1A illustrates the positioning assembly 100 coupled to a robot arm 190. The robot arm 190 can be controlled to position the payload 102 as needed, and the balance weight 150, counter mass assemblies 132, 134, and flywheels 140, 142, 144 shown in FIG. 1 can be activated to reduce positioning errors, speed-up a rate at which position changes can be made, and/or compensate vibrations and position and orientation errors. The counter mass assemblies and flywheels shown in FIG. 1 can be used to induce orientation changes as well. For example, rotation of a rotatable mass can be initiated or braked using an actuator so that the angular momentum causes the gimbal 120 to pivot. If the rotatable mass in the flywheel 144 is rotating in a clockwise direction about a z-axis, deceleration of the rotating mass with the actuator causes a clockwise rotation of the payload 102 and components fixed to the payload 102. Generally, angular momentum of any of the flywheels 140, 142, 144 can be used to create movement or provide stabilization.

Example Hinge Positioner

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a positioning assembly 200 includes a rotation support 202 that includes a hinge 206 having a rotational axis 208. An arm 204 is rotatably coupled to the hinge 206 and can be secured to a robot, a drone, a vehicle of any kind, or other mover. A payload arm 210 extends from the rotational support 202 and retains a payload 212. A balance weight 214 is situated so that a center of mass 215 of the assembly is situated on an axis 220 that is vertical and intersects the rotational axis 208 in an as-used orientation. In this way, the payload 212 is balanced in an as-used position and does not require forces be applied to hold the payload 212 in position. Counter mass assemblies 216, 218 are coupled to the rotation support 202 and include actuators 216A, 218A and counter masses 216B, 218B, respectively. The counter mass assemblies 216, 218 are generally situated to tune a location of the center of mass 215 or to compensate vibration. However, one or more counter mass assemblies can be provided to adjust the center of mass 215 in more than one direction. Similarly, flywheel assemblies with rotatable masses and actuators can be provided to adjust, compensate, or stabilize orientation. Suitable signals that indicate orientation and/or acceleration are provided by an IMU 230 that can be fixed to the payload 212, the payload arm 210 or other location. As shown, the positioning assembly is arranged to provide an optical beam 238 from the payload 212 to a target 240 and is movable with a robot or drone 236 that is attached to the arm 204. Position sensors 213, 237, 241 are secured to the payload 212, the robot 236, and the target 241, respectively. The position sensors can be fixed to other locations that permit relative positions to be determined. These sensors can be used to determine position errors or assess consequences of vibration.

Ball and Socket Positioner

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, a positioning assembly 300 includes a base member 302 that is coupled to or integral with a ball 304 that is rotatable in cavity defined by a socket piece 306. The ball 304 is rotatable about a center 305 about any axis. A payload arm 308 is fixed to ball 304 and can secure a payload 309. The socket piece 306 is secured to a robot, a drone, a vehicle of any kind, or other mover with a member 307. A balance weight 312 is translatable along an axis 313 so that a center of mass 316 of the assembly 300 (including the payload 309) is situated on an axis 320 that extends vertically through the center 305 of the ball 304 with the assembly in an as-used orientation. Counter mass assemblies 310, 330 that include counter masses and actuators can be secured to the base member 302 along with one or more flywheels such as representative flywheel 332. Suitable signals that indicate orientation and/or acceleration are provided by an IMU 340 that can be fixed to the payload 309 as shown or to the payload arm 308 or other location.

Processing System

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, a processing system 400 includes a positioning assembly 401 having an extendable base 480 that includes a first portion 402 and a second portion 404 that can be adjusted to shorten or lengthen along an axis 406. Such length changes can be used to tune a pendulum period of oscillation as desired. The first portion 402 is coupled to a robot arm connection member 414 that is rotatable about an axis 410 and configured for coupling to a robot, a drone, a vehicle, or other movable device. The connection member 414 can be coupled with a pin, a bearing, a sleeve, or other rotational connecter. A payload arm 416 is secured to retain a payload 420 that in this example is a laser beam emitter and includes a laser 422 and a lens 424. For example, the payload can include at least a part of an optical system or an optical element (e.g., a light source), for outputting a laser beam. In certain embodiments, the laser light source can be located around a base of the robot arm or at other locations and can be linked to the end effector by an optical fiber or other light guide/wave guide. With a light guide, a light source need not be part of a payload, and only beam shaping optics and an optical fiber or other light guides secured as a payload. A balance weight 417 is adjustable in mass or position to place a center of mass 419 directly below the rotational axis 410 and along a vertical axis 490 in an as-used orientation. Flywheel assemblies 430-432 with rotatable masses and actuators are coupled to the first portion 402 (or to other convenient locations) and counter mass assemblies 441, 442 with translatable masses and actuators are coupled to the second portion 404 (or other convenient locations). Suitable signals that indicate orientation and/or acceleration are provided by an IMU 440 that can be fixed to the payload 420 as shown or to the payload arm 416 or other location.

[0036] An angular controller 452 is coupled to the flywheel assemblies 430-432 and a translational controller 450 is coupled to the counter mass assemblies 441-442. These controllers are conveniently provided by a single control system but can be separate as shown. Both are coupled to the IMU 440 to receive signals indicating acceleration and orientation. Flywheels can be actuated to serve as gyroscopes for stabilization or to correct rotational errors or oscillations and the counter masses can be actuated to adjust center of mass or control oscillations or both. In addition, actuation of a rotatable mass or braking of a rotating rotatable mass can be used to rotate a payload. A process controller 450 can be coupled to direct movements.

Positioning and Control Systems

[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, a representative positioning system 500 includes a positioning assembly 501 that includes flywheel assemblies 512-514 which can provide rotations of flywheel masses about different axes. Counter mass assemblies 502-504 are also provided to translate counter masses along differing axes. In typical examples, counter mass assemblies 502, 503 are provided to adjust a location of a center of mass horizontally in an as-used orientation, and the vertical counter mass assembly 504 is not used. An IMU 520 is fixed to the positioning system to provide signals corresponding to acceleration in one, two, or three directions as well as orientations about three different axes. The signals are coupled to a controller 530 that can determine actuator drive signals to provide static balance or orientation, provide drive signals in response to motion of the positioning system, or stabilization by spinning one or more flywheels.

Positioning Methods

[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, a representative method 600 includes securing a payload to a rotational mounting assembly at 602 and selecting and securing one or more balance weights at 604 to place a center of mass below an axis of rotation. If preferred, flywheels can be activated at 606 for stabilization, and at 608, orientation and acceleration are detected with one or more sensors such as an IMU. At 610, one or more flywheels or counter masses are activated in response to tune or correct position or orientation or to reduce vibration. If continued monitoring and correction of vibration, center of mass location, and orientation is selected at 612, orientation and acceleration are detected again at 608. If further compensation is not desired, the method 600 can be terminated at 614.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 7, a method 700 includes moving a payload with a robot, drone, or other device at 702. After movement, a position and orientation of the payload is determined at 704 to establish orientation and/or position error. At 706, one or more flywheels or counter masses are activated or braked to adjust payload position based on the position error. In this way, a relatively large robot positioning error can be rapidly corrected. In other examples, the one or more flywheels or counter masses are activated or braked during movement of the payload with the robot. In some examples, position error is not measured, but can be established without additional measurement. As discussed above, rotating masses can be spun at a reasonably high angular velocity during normal operation to resist rotational disturbances.

[0040] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed technology may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples and should not be taken as limiting.