Estimating a mechanical degradation of a machine
AssigneeVolkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
InventorCarlos Cortes Mac-Evoy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for estimating a mechanical degradation of a machine comprises using a drive unit of the machine to move a movable component of the machine during an evaluation period. A drive parameter is measured during the evaluation period to set up a set of input data. A cluster analysis is performed by a processor on the input data and a degradation value for the machine is determined by the processor depending on a result of the cluster analysis.
Claims14
A method for estimating a mechanical degradation of a machine, the machine comprising a movable component with a gripping unit having one or more fingers and/or a thumb and a drive unit for controlling a gripping movement of the movable component, comprising:
- moving the movable component by the drive unit during an evaluation period;
- generating a set of input data, wherein generating the set of input data comprises measuring at least one drive parameter of the drive unit during the evaluation period and generating a point cloud depending on the input data by the processor, wherein the at least one drive parameter comprises one or more of an electric supply current of an electric motor of the drive unit, and a fluid flow rate of a pneumatic or hydraulic unit of the drive unit;
- performing a cluster analysis by a processor by applying a cluster analysis algorithm to the set of input data, wherein performing the cluster analysis comprises:
- determining respective centroids for at least three clusters of the point cloud;
- and
- determining a set of mutual distances between the centroids;
- the method further comprising:
- determining a degradation value for the machine by the processor depending on the set of mutual distances.
A system for estimating a mechanical degradation of a machine with a movable component with a gripping unit having one or more fingers and/or a thumb, the system comprising:
- a drive to control a gripping movement of the movable component and to move the movable component during an evaluation period;
- a sensor to measure at least one drive parameter of the drive during the evaluation period, wherein the at least one drive parameter comprises one or more of an electric supply current of an electric motor of the drive unit, and a fluid flow rate of a pneumatic or hydraulic unit of the drive unit;
- and
- a processing circuit, configured to:
- generate a set of input data depending on the at least one drive parameter measured during the evaluation period and generate a point cloud depending on the input data;
- and to
- perform a cluster analysis by applying a cluster analysis algorithm to the set of input data, wherein performing the cluster analysis comprises determining respective centroids for at least three clusters of the point cloud and determining a set of mutual distances between the centroids;
- wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
- determine a degradation value for the machine depending on the set of mutual distances.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.