Assessment of mechatronic system performance at an early design stage

For conceptual design of electromechanical motion systems, an assessment method is formulated that supports the design of a feasible reference path generator, control system, and electromechanical plant with appropriate sensor locations, in an integrated way. This method is based on a classification of standard transfer functions, plant models, and closed-loop systems. The assessment method can be applied in several ways, depending on the available knowledge about the design problem. In order to illustrate this method, an application to an industrial motion system is described. The assessment method quickly provides insight in the design problem. Furthermore, feasible goals and required design efforts can be estimated at an early stage.     

A mechatronic approach to microsystem design

This paper discusses the implementation of a concurrent-engineering view of microsystem design. The proposed concurrent-engineering or mechatronic approach to the design of hybrid microsystems is illustrated by three case studies. First, the design of an advanced computer writing tool is discussed. The design of this consumer product requires a mechatronic approach at different functional levels and at different levels of miniaturization. Another illustration of this approach is the design of an implantable drug delivery device. A device for solid drug delivery, as well as a device for liquid drug delivery, are presented. It is demonstrated that miniaturization can be obtained by a combination of functions in a single component. The multiplication of functions in a single component automatically leads to a concurrent-engineering approach far the design. Finally, the micromanufacturing of silicon parts by electrodischarge machining is described. It is demonstrated that electrodischarge machining of silicon is not only feasible, but forms an interesting and complementary technology to traditional silicon micromachining. Therefore, this powerful manufacturing technique opens the way for concurrent engineering of real three-dimensional micromechanical sensors and actuators with integrated processing electronics on the same wafer     

A design paradigm for mechatronic systems

Concepts of mechatronics are applicable in the design of complex and multi-domain dynamic systems. This paper presents an approach based on the mechatronic design quotient (MDQ) for systematic design of a mechatronic system. Traditional procedures of design are hierarchically separated into topological design and parametric design. Extending this concept, an MDQ may be “structured” into a multi-layered hierarchy. The approach and significance of the application of MDQ in mechatronic design are indicated using illustrative examples.     

Backlash fault detection in mechatronic system

In this paper, a fault detection and isolation model based method for backlash phenomenon is presented. The aim of this contribution is to be able to detect then distinguish the undesirable backlash from the useful one inside an electromechanical test bench. The dynamic model of the real system is derived, using the bond graph approach, motivated by the multi-energy domain of such mechatronic system. The innovation interest of the use of the bond graph tool, resides in the exploitation of one language representation for modelling and monitoring the system with presence of mechanical faults. Fault indicators are deduced from the analytical model and used to detect and isolate undesirable backlash fault, including the physical system. Simulation and experimental tests are done on electromechanical test bench which consists of a DC motor carrying a mechanical load, through a reducer part containing a backlash phenomenon.     

Modeling and design methodology for mechatronic systems

The integration of mechanical systems and microelectronics opens many new possibilities for process design and automatic functions. After discussing the mutual interrelations between the design of the mechanical system and digital electronic system the different ways of integration within mechatronic systems and the resulting properties are described. The information processing can be organized in multi levels, ranging from low level control through supervision to general process management. In connection with knowledge bases and inference mechanisms, intelligent control systems result. The design of control systems for mechanical systems is described, from modeling, identification to adaptive control for nonlinear systems. This is followed by solving supervision tasks with fault diagnosis. Then design tools for mechatronic systems are considered and examples of applications are given, like adaptive control of electromagnetic and pneumatic actuators, adaptive semiactive shock absorbers for vehicle suspension, and electronic drive-chain damping.     

On conceptual design of intelligent mechatronic systems

We have technology now to design networks of small intelligent units capable of competing and/or co-operating with each other on specified tasks and making decisions under conditions of uncertainty through a process of negotiation. In highly dynamic environments, such distributed systems are capable of achieving considerably better results in terms of performance/cost ratio and reliability than conventional centralised large systems and structures. The major elements of these systems are intelligent agents, which are software objects capable of communicating with each other, as well as reasoning about received messages. The paper discusses conceptual design of mechatronic systems based on multi-agent technology.     

Advanced mechatronic design using a multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization of a motor-driven four-bar system

In this work we present a genetic algorithm based method to design a mechatronic system. First, we present the sequential approach where we optimize the geometry of the mechanism, for a given path, and then solve the dynamic problem where we take into account the characteristics of the motor along with the inertia of the different links of the mechanism. Several types of objective functions are tested. We show, however, that this sequential method does not yield acceptable results for the dynamic behavior due to the fact that the geometry is assumed fixed when optimizing the dynamics. This led us to formulate a global optimization problem where all the parameters of the mechanism are considered simultaneously. The problem is then presented as a multi-objective optimization one where the geometry and the dynamics are considered simultaneously. The obtained solutions form what is called a “Pareto front” and they are analyzed for several different design conditions. This paper also shows the advantages of a multi-objective optimization approach over the single-objective one.     

Modular design of mechatronic systems with function modeling

This paper develops a modularization scheme based on the functional model of a system. The modularization approach makes use of the function–behavior–state (FBS) model of the system to derive the entity relations. The design structure matrix (DSM) is automatically constructed based on the FBS model. In this way, the tedious work of filling the DSM entries based on expert knowledge is avoided. The approach makes use of k-means clustering algorithm to allow the user to try different number of clusters in a fast way. The k-means clustering is adopted for DSM based modularization by defining a proper entity representation, relation measure and objective function. Two modularization schemes are performed, one based on the immediate relations and one on the deeper behavioral relations between the components. Considering the application on the shifting system of the Delft University of Technology (DUT) Formula Student car, the latter modularization resulted in more mechatronic behavior based modules, while the former resulted in modules based on mere disciplinary and spatial closeness.     

On the design of a hierarchical BTC-VQ compression system

In the present paper we study the use of vector quantization in the BTC-VQ image compression system. We propose an inverted order of proceeding in the BTC-VQ algorithm, so that the interaction of coding the bit-plane and the quantization data will be taken into consideration. The quality of the image depends radically on the codebook used in VQ. The use of frequencies in the selection of the initial codebook turns out to be superior to random selection.     

计算机系统体系结构的层次设计分析

计算机系统体系结构的层次设计是一项非常复杂的工程,文章对计算机系统体系结构层次设计的原则、机制和路径分别进行分析,确保计算机系统能够高效运作,同时便于系统开发与后期的维护。     

Development of an automated steering vehicle based on roadwaymagnets-a case study of mechatronic system design

Automated steering control is a crucial element of vehicle automation. The California PATH Program at the University of California at Berkeley has developed one such system using magnetic markers embedded under the roadway for lateral guidance. This system was demonstrated during the August 1997 National Automated Highway System Consortium Feasibility Demonstration, San Diego, CA, without a single failure. Developing a successful demonstration system not only required theoretical understanding of the various control problems involved, but also strong appreciation of all practical issues. In the paper, the comprehensive process of developing such automated steering control system is described. This process consists of control objectives' determination, system structure definition, vehicle dynamics validation, lateral sensing system development, steering actuator design, test track installation, control algorithm development, software/hardware integration, and vehicle testing. The entire process also serves as a good case study for mechatronic system design integrating mechanical components, electronic devices, intelligence, and feedback control to perform vehicle automation functions     

Tracking the consequences of design decisions in mechatronic Systems Engineering

The design of mechatronic systems involves several technical and scientific disciplines. It is often difficult to anticipate, at the outset, the consequences of design decisions on the ultimate effectiveness of such complex systems, in which case the evaluation process is required to support the designers each time engineering choices must be made or justified. Since designers may belong to different technical and scientific cultures however, their understanding of both the design stakes and the evaluation process is too often biased. Moreover, design choices take place in an uncertain context and according to multiple criteria, some of which may be contradictory. In order to track the consequences of design decisions, we are proposing a conceptual data model to perform evaluations within the MBSE framework of Systems Engineering. We then proceed by relying on the relationships demonstrated by such a model to identify the potential impacts of design choices on future product performance. Since data available during the conceptual phase of the design are typically uncertain or imprecise, an original research protocol is extended to a qualitative impact analysis for the purpose of highlighting the most promising alternative system design solutions (ASDS). An example in the mechatronics field serves to illustrate our proposals.     

集成系统PCB板设计的新技术

概述 目前的电子设计大多是集成系统级设计，整个项目中既包含硬件整机设计又包含软件开发。这种技术特点向电子工程师提出了新的挑战。首先，如何在设计早期将系统软硬件功能划分得比较合理，形成有效的功能结构框架，以避免冗余循环过程；其次，如何在短时间内设计出高性能高可靠的ＰＣＢ板。因为软件的开发很大程度上依赖硬件的实现，只有保证整机设计一次通过，才会更有效的缩短设计周期。本文论述在新的技术背景下，系统板级设计的新特点及新策略。 众所周知；电子技术的发展日新月异，而这些变化必然给板级设计带来许多问题和挑战。首…     

Cryogenic mechatronic design of the HIFI Focal Plane Chopper

This paper discusses the cryogenic mechatronic development of the Focal Plane Chopper (FPC) mechanism in the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HIFI) which is one of the science instruments on board the Herschel space telescope. The extreme cryogenic environment, in which the mechanism has to operate, places a number of constraints on the mechatronic design of the instrument. The paper gives an overview of cryogenic design issues applicable to the development of the FPC and provides solutions to the problems encountered.     

On the design and control of mechatronic systems-a survey

The integration of mechanical systems and microelectronics opens new possibilities for mechanical design and automatic functions. After a discussion of the mechanical and electronic design the organization of information processing in different levels is described. Within this frame “low-degree-intelligent” mechatronic systems can be developed which comprise adaptive control, supervision with fault diagnosis, and decisions with regard to further actions. This requires the realization of knowledge-based systems with learning abilities. Some aspects of the design of information processing including modeling and estimation, control, and supervision methods are considered. Finally as an example an adaptive semiactive shock absorber or vehicle suspension systems is shown     

整合分级的角色访问控制系统的研究与设计

基于角色的访问控制是当前先进的安全管理方法,考虑到该方法在描述资源访问属性时的不足,本文提出了把分级思想整合到基于角色的访问控制当中,使用分级服务来描述所保护资源的权限属性,并探讨了整个系统的方案设计,以及该设计方案的特点。     

A model-based design methodology for the development of mechatronic systems

The development of mechatronic systems involves the use of multiple disciplines, from mechanical engineering to electronics engineering and computer science.Traditionally, every discipline was developed independently and then integrated to generate the final system. However, high-quality designs cannot be achieved without simultaneously considering all the engineering disciplines. This integrated approach carries an intrinsic complexity into system design process and numerous researches are on-going in order to find out optimal methods. This article illustrates a methodology based on Model-Based System Engineering to support the integrated development of complex mechatronic devices. The main contribution is the introduction of a design methodology based on the W model and the identification of SysML as the tool to support the whole process.This method will also address the problem of “devices interchangeability”, that means the possibility to develop the functionality of a system with different operation principles, at a very early stage of the development process (i.e. during the conceptual development). To achieve this goal, the methodology treats the problem of linking the conceptual with executable models to enable the validation by simulation.Main advantages of this methodology are in providing, to the mechatronic systems designers, a fixed schedule which does not limit their intuition and reduces complexity through a hierarchical approach. The process has been tested through the rationalization of the choices that have brought to the current solution of the filling system of an automatic filling machine for liquid foodstuff.     

Mirror synthesis in a mechatronic system for superficial defect detection

This paper deals with the problem of defect detection on highly reflective surfaces making use of vision systems. A new mechatronic system has been developed, based on a nonflat mirror. According to the method described in this paper, the light rays emitted from a source hit a suitably designed nonflat mirror, and are reflected so as to illuminate the curved surface under investigation. The path of the light rays from the source of light to the mirror and then to the object surface is mathematically traced making use of the optical geometry laws. After the reflection on the object surface, the light rays are collected by a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and elaborated by a vision system, which manages to detect the surface defects as shadows of various shape and size within the picture. Simulations have been carried out in order to provide the optimal mirror shape. Moreover, a prototype of the mechatronic system, including the synthesized mirror, has been built to perform some experimental tests to validate the method. The results, reported in the paper, definitively show the effectiveness of the proposed method.