Implement positioning apparatus and process
First Claim
1. A process for controlling positioning of an implement relative to a workpiece, which comprises:
- projecting a light pattern including an array of light elements, each having a known shape and spacing relative to one another, on the workpiece,sensing the array of light elements as reflected from the workpiece,clustering the sensed light elements into groups based on at least one common characteristic resulting from workpiece geometry of the light elements as reflected,defining a plurality of surfaces of the workpiece geometry by fitting a mathematical surface to at least some of the clustered groups of sensed light elements,defining the workpiece geometry from at least some of the defined surfaces, andcontrolling the positioning of the implement and the workpiece relative to one another based on the so-defined workpiece geometry.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling positioning of an implement relative to a workpiece, such as a welding head with respect to members to be welded, projects light patterns including an array of light elements each having a known shape and spacing relative to one another on the workpiece. The light elements as reflected from the workpiece are detected and output signals produced in response to the detected light elements. The output signals are classified into groups based on at least one common characteristic resulting from workpiece geometry. The workpiece geometry is defined from at least one relationship between different ones of the groups of the first output signals. Second output signals are produced indicative of the so-determined workpiece geometry. The second output signals are used to control positioning of the implement relative to the workpiece. This apparatus and process allows workpiece geometry to be defined and the implement to be positioned relative to the workpiece on a real-time basis.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A process for controlling positioning of an implement relative to a workpiece, which comprises:
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projecting a light pattern including an array of light elements, each having a known shape and spacing relative to one another, on the workpiece, sensing the array of light elements as reflected from the workpiece, clustering the sensed light elements into groups based on at least one common characteristic resulting from workpiece geometry of the light elements as reflected, defining a plurality of surfaces of the workpiece geometry by fitting a mathematical surface to at least some of the clustered groups of sensed light elements, defining the workpiece geometry from at least some of the defined surfaces, and controlling the positioning of the implement and the workpiece relative to one another based on the so-defined workpiece geometry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for controlling positioning of an implement relative to a workpiece, which comprises:
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means for projecting a light pattern including an array of light elements each having a known shape and spacing relative to one another on the workpiece, means, spaced from said projecting means, for detecting the array of light elements as reflected from the workpiece and for producing first output signals in response to the detected light elements, means for classifying the first output signals into groups based on at least one common characteristic resulting from workpiece geometry for the first output signals of each group, means for defining workpiece geometry from at least one relationship between different ones of the groups of first output signals by defining a surface of the workpiece for each group of the first output signals, and for producing second output signals indicative of the so-determined workpiece geometry, and means, responsive to the second output signals, for positioning the implement relative to the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification