Risk assessment guidance device and method for collaborative robots

Abstract

A risk assessment guidance device (1) for a collaborative robot includes: an input device (2) for accepting user input; a storage device (3) for storing information; a display device (4) for displaying information; and at least one processing device (5). The processing device (5) is used to: allow the user to input basic information containing conditions for collaboration with a human using the input device (2); allow the user to select at least one candidate information of a hazard source stored in the storage device (3) corresponding to the input basic information using the input device (2); perform a risk assessment based on the risk content information stored in the storage device (3) corresponding to the selected hazard source candidate information; determine whether the result of the risk assessment is below the permissible risk; and if the result of the risk assessment is not below the permissible risk, display on the display device (4) a countermeasure scheme for separating the human and the collaborative robot without separating the space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a risk assessment guidance device and method for collaborative robots. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that the introduction of robots requires risk assessment (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-188644 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] Users are unfamiliar with risk assessment for collaborative robots. Therefore, it is preferable to select robots that can be easily and appropriately assessed even by unfamiliar users.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure is a risk assessment guidance device for a collaborative robot, comprising: an input device for accepting user input; a storage device for storing information; a display device for displaying information; and at least one processing device, which is configured to: use the input device to allow the user to input basic information including conditions of collaboration with a human; use the input device to allow the user to select at least one candidate information of hazards stored in the storage device corresponding to the input basic information; perform a risk assessment based on risk content information stored in the storage device corresponding to the selected candidate information of the hazards; determine whether the result of the risk assessment is below the permissible risk; and if the result of the risk assessment is not below the permissible risk, display on the display device a countermeasure scheme for separating the human and the collaborative robot without separating the space. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a risk assessment guidance device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 The diagram shows the information stored in the storage device of the risk assessment guidance device.

[0012] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram showing the detailed list of hazards in the storage device.

[0013] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram showing the detailed contents of the surrounding environment within the storage device.

[0014] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram detailing the conditions of human collaboration within a storage device.

[0015] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram showing the detailed list of hazards or dangerous events in the storage device.

[0016] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 The following image.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a risk assessment guidance method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 9 It shows from Figure 8 The flowchart continues.

[0019] Figure 10 It shows from Figure 9 The flowchart continues.

[0020] Figure 11 It shows from Figure 10 The flowchart continues.

[0021] Figure 12 It shows the method for shrinking. Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the scope of candidate information on hazards in storage devices. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The risk assessment guidance device 1 and method for a collaborative robot according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the risk assessment guidance device 1 of this embodiment includes an input device 2 for accepting user input, a storage device 3 for storing information, a display device 4 for displaying information, and at least one processing device 5.

[0024] Input device 2 is, for example, a keyboard or mouse.

[0025] Storage device 3 is, for example, a memory. Display device is, for example, a monitor.

[0026] Processing device 5 is a processor such as a CPU.

[0027] like Figure 2As shown, storage device 3 stores basic information corresponding to three items: "type of work," "surrounding environment," and "conditions of cooperation with humans," as well as candidate "hazards" corresponding to each item of the basic information. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, the storage device 3 stores "risk assessment object operation", "operation conditions", "risk content", "injury severity", "injury probability", "risk level", "frequency", "view of the probability of injury under the risk index", "recommendation information", "risk assessment implementer", "risk assessment approver" and "residual risk".

[0028] As a "list of hazards", for example, storing Figure 3 The information shown.

[0029] As the "surrounding environment", for example, storing Figure 4 The information shown.

[0030] As a "condition for collaboration with people", for example, storing Figure 5 The information shown.

[0031] As candidates for "hazard sources" or "list of hazardous events", for example, storing Figure 6 and Figure 7 The information shown.

[0032] Each piece of information contained in “type of work”, “surrounding environment”, and “conditions of cooperation with people” corresponds to any one of the “hazard sources”.

[0033] As a "risk assessment object job", it stores "stable jobs", "unstable jobs", "provisional jobs" and "abnormal jobs".

[0034] As "Working Conditions," the system stores information on "equipment operating during work" and "the wearing status of the user's designated protective equipment." Within "equipment operating during work," each equipment type is categorized as operating, not operating, emergency stop, and abnormal stop. The "wearing status of the user's designated protective equipment" stores information on protective equipment specified by work standards, such as helmets, gloves, leather gloves, safety shoes, and safety glasses.

[0035] As a "frequency", it stores the option for the frequency of the operation.

[0036] As a "view of the likelihood of injury occurring under the risk index", it stores options such as "isolation safety", "possibility of avoiding the hazard", "person's attention during operation", and "frequency of access to the hazard".

[0037] As "Risk Content," it stores options for "Hazard," "Situation," and "Opportunity." As "Hazard," it stores options for "Injured Part and Severity." As "Situation," it stores options for "Who was doing what and when." As "Opportunity," it stores options for "What happened."

[0038] The "hazards," "conditions," and "opportunities" in the "risk content" are stored in corresponding order to the "hazard source," "risk assessment object operation," "operation conditions," "human cooperation conditions," "type of operation," and "surrounding environment," respectively.

[0039] As a "size of injury", candidates for the size of injury in the risk assessment before countermeasures are stored, including "major / obstacle (business interruption injury)", "minor injury / minor illness (business interruption injury)", "red medicine injury (minor injury referring to the degree of red medicine application)" and "harmless" and "hazard" in the "risk content".

[0040] As for the "probability of injury occurring," it stores candidates for the probability of injury occurring as a risk assessment before countermeasures, including "definitely occurring," "highly likely," "possibly likely," and "almost impossible." The "probability of injury occurring" is stored in correspondence with the "situation" and "opportunity," "frequency," and "view of the probability of injury occurring under the risk index" of the "risk content."

[0041] In the "Risk Level" section, candidates for the risk level, which serve as a risk assessment prior to countermeasures, are stored in relation to the "Severity of Injury" and the "Probability of Injury Occurring".

[0042] As "recommendation information," for example, multiple candidate solutions are stored that separate collaborative robots from human space without dividing the space between them.

[0043] For example, candidate solutions could include "using a workbench to separate the collaborative robot from the user" or "using traffic cones (registered trademark) and chains to surround the collaborative robot and separate it from the user." These candidate solutions aim to maintain a predetermined distance between the collaborative robot and the user without dividing the space.

[0044] The system incorporates numerical information calculated based on factors such as the layout of mechanical equipment and other components within the "surrounding devices" category, which takes into account the "surrounding environment," as well as the "conditions of cooperation with people," into the stored candidate countermeasures, thereby creating recommendation information.

[0045] For example, if the candidate solution is "use a workbench to separate the collaborative robot and the user", calculate and add the position, height, and width of the workbench.

[0046] In addition, based on the layout of the mechanical setup and the conditions of collaboration with humans, if the user's head, neck or lower limbs enter the working range of the collaborative robot, at least one value of the position, height and width of the worktable should be set to be large to avoid this situation.

[0047] Processing device 5 performs a risk assessment based on the various input information to determine the risk level and whether the risk level is below the permissible risk level. If the risk level is determined to be below the permissible risk level, processing device 5 records (stores) the contents of the risk assessment after confirmation and approval from a superior.

[0048] If the risk level is determined to be below the permissible risk level, the treatment device 5 will periodically re-evaluate the conditions, recommend countermeasures, and disclose information on residual risks.

[0049] The risk assessment guidance method using the risk assessment guidance device 1 of this embodiment, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0050] When beginning a risk assessment, firstly, such as Figure 8 As shown, the processing device 5 allows the user to input various information.

[0051] That is, the processing device 5 resets the counter N (step S1), sequentially reads the candidates for "type of work" (basic information), "work subject to risk assessment", "frequency", and "views on the probability of injury under the risk index" from the storage device 3, and displays them sequentially on the display device 4 (steps S2, S4, S6, S8). Then, the user selects the information corresponding to each item from the candidates displayed on the display device 4. The user uses the input device 2 to select the information displayed on the display device 4 (steps S3, S5, S7, S9).

[0052] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, the processing device 5 also sequentially reads candidate information corresponding to "working conditions," "surrounding environment" (basic information), and "cooperation conditions with humans" (basic information) from the storage device 3, and displays them on the display device 4 (steps S10, S12, S14). Then, the user selects information corresponding to each item from the candidates displayed on the display device 4. The user uses the input device 2 to select the information displayed on the display device 4 (steps S11, S13, S15).

[0053] Next, as Figure 10As shown, the processing device 5 reads the candidates for "hazard sources" stored in the storage device 3 corresponding to the selected basic information and displays them on the display device 4 (step S16), and allows the user to select at least one candidate for a hazard source. The user uses the input device 2 to select the information displayed on the display device 4 (step S17).

[0054] After selecting a hazard source, the processing device 5 reads the candidates of "risk content" stored in the storage device 3 corresponding to the selected hazard source (steps S18, S20, S22). In addition, the processing device 5 extracts only the candidates corresponding to the input "risk assessment object operation", "type of operation", "surrounding environment", "cooperation conditions with humans" and "operation conditions" from the read "risk content" candidates.

[0055] Then, the processing device 5 displays the candidates for "hazard," "situation," and "opportunity" of the extracted "risk content" on the display device for the user to select. The user uses the input device 2 to select the information displayed on the display device 4 (steps S19, S21, S23).

[0056] Moreover, such as Figure 11 As shown, the processing device 5 selects the "severity of injury" from the selected "hazard" content (step S24). Furthermore, the processing device 5 selects the "probability of injury" from the selected "situation" and "opportunity," the previously input "frequency," and the "view of the probability of injury occurring under the risk index" (step S25). Then, the processing device 5 determines the risk level based on the selected "severity of injury" and "probability of injury occurring," thereby conducting a risk assessment before taking countermeasures (step S26).

[0057] Next, the processing device 5 determines whether the risk level is below the permissible risk level (step S27). If it is below the permissible risk level, it requests confirmation and approval from its superior (step S28). The processing device 5 records (or prints out) the approved risk assessment result to the storage device 3 (step S29).

[0058] On the other hand, in step S27, if the risk level is not below the permissible risk, it is determined whether the counter N is 1 (step S30). If the counter N = 1, the counter N is incremented, and the process starting from step S10 is repeated (step S31). That is, candidates for "working conditions", "surrounding environment" and "cooperation conditions with people" are displayed on the display device 4, allowing the user to re-evaluate the conditions (steps S10 to S15).

[0059] Based on the user's re-evaluation information, the processing device 5 performs steps S16 to S26 to re-determine the risk level. If the determined risk level is again not below the allowable risk, it is determined whether the counter N = 2 (step S32).

[0060] When counter N = 2, counter N is incremented (step S33), and recommendation information is read from storage device 3 (step S34). The user uses input device 2 to select any recommendation information displayed on display device 4 (step S35).

[0061] If the user selects recommended information, the information on "surrounding environment" and "conditions of cooperation with others" is rewritten from the previously entered information. Then, based on the rewritten information, the process starting from step S16 is repeated to redetermine the risk level (step S26).

[0062] If the determined risk level is again not below the permissible risk level, it is determined whether the counter N=2 (step S32). Since N=3, residual risk information is indicated in step S36. After that, no further risk assessment is performed, but confirmation and approval from the superior are obtained (step S28).

[0063] The remaining risks that still exist after the protection measures have been implemented require public disclosure of information, and responses should be made regarding "description of countermeasures in the work procedures", "setting up signs and warning displays", "wearing protective equipment", and "implementing education and training".

[0064] Therefore, according to the risk assessment guidance device 1 for collaborative robots of this embodiment, the items required for the risk assessment of the collaborative robot are read from the storage device 3 and displayed on the display device 4. Thus, the user can perform the risk assessment simply by selecting the appropriate items from the displayed items.

[0065] In particular, by inputting "collaboration conditions with humans" as basic information, it has the advantage of allowing even users unfamiliar with risk assessment to easily perform a risk assessment. Furthermore, if the input information is insufficient to reduce the risk level below the acceptable level, it suggests maintaining a distance between the collaborative robot and the user, rather than separating them physically. This allows users to easily implement measures to reduce the risk level.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to implement... Figure 6 Before providing risk assessment guidance, users can input their eligibility requirements related to the risk assessment. Additionally, questions can be displayed on display device 4 to narrow down candidate hazard information, and users can then answer them.

[0067] As for the qualifications to be used as input, examples include SLA: Security Read Assessment, SA: Security Assessment, SSA: Security Sub-Assessment, and SBA: Security Basic Assessment.

[0068] In addition, as a pre-answered question, such as Figure 12 As shown. For these questions, answer with one of the three options: "Yes," "No," or "I don't know."

[0069] Furthermore, in risk assessment guidance for users who are deemed to have a high level of knowledge related to risk assessment based on their input qualifications, it is not necessary to require them to select the relevant items for questions answered "yes". As relevant items, options that can list hazards are available.

[0070] In other words, only hazards related to questions answered "no" or "don't know" are displayed for users to choose from. This has the following advantages: for users with a high level of knowledge related to risk assessment, it reduces the number of choices and simplifies the process.

[0071] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 11 As shown, in step S27, during the first risk assessment, the conditions are re-evaluated from step S10 only if the risk level is not below the acceptable risk. Alternatively, the conditions can be re-evaluated repeatedly until the residual risk becomes within an acceptable range.

[0072] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0073] 1 Risk assessment guidance device

[0074] 2 Input Devices

[0075] 3 storage devices

[0076] 4 Display devices

[0077] 5 processing devices

Claims

1. A risk assessment guidance device for collaborative robots, characterized in that, have: An input device that accepts user input; Storage device, which stores information; Display device, which displays information; and At least one processing device, This processing device is used for, Basic information, including conditions for human collaboration, is displayed on the display device, and the user can input information through selection using the input device. Candidate information of hazards stored in the storage device corresponding to the input basic information is displayed on the display device, and the user selects at least one of the displayed candidate information of hazards using the input device. Risk assessment is performed based on risk content information stored in the storage device corresponding to the candidate information of the selected hazard source. Determine whether the result of this risk assessment is below the acceptable risk level. If the risk assessment result is determined to be below the permissible risk level, a countermeasure plan that allows humans and collaborative robots to be separated without dividing the space is retrieved from the storage device and displayed on the display device.

2. The risk assessment guidance device for collaborative robots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing device is used for, Before reading the basic information, the user is prompted to input their eligibility related to the risk assessment, and The display device displays questions to narrow down the candidate information for the hazard, and the user answers them. Based on the entered qualification and the user's response, candidate information for the hazard source is displayed on the display device after narrowing down the scope.

3. A risk assessment guidance method for collaborative robots, characterized in that, Users input basic information including conditions for collaboration with others. The user can select at least one of the candidate hazard information corresponding to the basic information entered. Risk assessment is performed based on the risk content information corresponding to the candidate information of the selected hazard source. Determine whether the result of this risk assessment is below the acceptable risk level. If the risk assessment result is determined to be below the permissible risk level, a countermeasure is presented to separate humans and collaborative robots without separating the space.

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