Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the control of a glove-based grasp assist device.SOLUTION: A grasp assist system includes a glove and sleeve. The glove includes a digit, i.e., a finger or thumb, and a force sensor. The sensor measures a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove. The glove contains a tendon connected at a first end to the digit. The sleeve has an actuator assembly connected to a second end of the tendon and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller includes a configuration module having selectable operating modes and a processor that calculates a tensile force to apply to the tendon for each or the selectable operating modes to assist the grasping force in a manner that differs for each of the operating modes. A method includes measuring the grasping force, selecting the mode, calculating the tensile force, and applying the tensile force to the tendon using the actuator assembly.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hybrid vehicle configured for obtaining efficient engine performance.SOLUTION: A hybrid vehicle 10 is provided with an electric transmission 22 operatively connected to a first axle 12 and an electric drive module 24 operatively connected to a second axle 16. A transmission ratio of a differential gear set 40 and a final drive 50 of the electric transmission 22 are selected so that a torque ratio of the torque of the first axle 12 over the torque of an engine is that at which any working chamber of the engine 26 that is operated to expand a working fluid can operate without throttling without the torque of the engine torque exceeding torque necessary to propel the vehicle 10 at a steady vehicle speed, and with a second electric machine 80 in a freewheeling state.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of training a robot to execute a robot task in a work environment including the step of moving the robot across a configuration space through a plurality of states of a robot task, and the step of recording a kinetic schema describing a sequence of behaviors of the robot.SOLUTION: Sensory data describing performance and state values of a robot is recorded while moving the robot. This method includes the step of detecting a perceptual characteristic of an object installed within a work environment, the step of allocating a virtual deictic marker to the detected perceptual characteristic, and the step of controlling the robot later upon automated execution of another robot task using the allocated marker and a recorded kinetic schema. A generalized marker can be generated by mutually combining the markers. A system includes the robot, a sensor array for detecting the performance value and the state value, a perception sensor for imaging the object within the environment, and an electronic control unit executing the method.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control a dexterous robot execution sequence using state classification.SOLUTION: The robot includes a plurality of robotic joints, actuators for moving the joints, and sensors for measuring characteristics of the joints, and for transmitting the characteristics as sensor signals. The controller receives the sensor signals, and is configured for executing instructions from a memory, classifying the sensor signals into distinct classes via a state classification module, monitoring a system state of the robot using the classes, and controlling the robot in the execution of alternative work tasks based on the system state. A method for controlling the robot in the system includes steps for receiving the signals via the controller, classifying the signals using the state classification module, monitoring the present system state of the robot using the classes, and controlling the robot in the execution of alternative work tasks based on the present system state.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve high tension by low electric power, in a wire drive.SOLUTION: A tendon tensioning system includes a tendon having a proximal end and a distal end, an actuator and a motor controller. The actuator includes a drive screw and a motor, and is coupled with the proximal end of the tendon and configured to apply a tension on the tendon in response to an electrical current. The motor controller is electrically coupled with the actuator and configured to provide an electrical current with a first amplitude to the actuator until a stall tension is achieved on the tendon. The motor controller is also configured to provide a pulse current to the actuator following the achievement of the stall tension where the amplitude of the pulse current is greater than the first amplitude. The motor controller is further configured to return the motor to a steady state holding current following the conclusion of the pulse current.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a robot which is force-controlled or impedance-controlled in an unstructured workspace.SOLUTION: A method includes automatically imposing an upper limit on a static force applied by a manipulator to its surrounding environment. The method includes determining a contact force between the manipulator and an object and executing a dynamic reflex when the contact force exceeds a threshold to thereby alleviate an inertial impulse not addressed by the static force with the limited upper limit. The method includes a step for calculating required reflex torque imparted to a robotic joint. A robotic system includes a robotic manipulator and a controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the manipulator. The controller controls the manipulator using force-based or impedance-based commands. The controller automatically imposes the upper limit and may execute the dynamic reflex.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system and protocol optimized for bandwidth-constrained network communication.SOLUTION: A communication system for communicating over high-latency, low bandwidth networks includes a communications processor configured to receive a collection of data from a local system, and a transceiver in communication with the communications processor. The transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data over a network according to a plurality of communication parameters. The communications processor is configured to divide the collection of data into a plurality of data streams; assign a priority level to each of the respective data streams, where the priority level reflects the criticality of the respective data stream; and modify a communication parameter of at least one of the plurality of data streams according to the priority of the at least one data stream.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure to limit, minimize, or reduce the amount of sound transmitted from locations outside of the passenger cabin to its interior.SOLUTION: A sound-damped vehicle panel assembly, such as a dash panel, is attached to a structural member with one or more weld joints. The vehicle panel assembly includes a main panel member, a sound-damping patch, and a sound-damping adhesive layer arranged therebetween. The patch covers at least part of an acoustically active region of the main panel member. The weld joints that attach the vehicle panel assembly to the structural member are preferably located at weld openings formed in the sound-damping patch and/or the sound-damping adhesive layer so that the weld joint can be formed without melting and vaporizing the adhesive during the welding operation, as such an operation would likely require additional ventilation equipment and could impact the quality of the weld joint.