Collaborative robot system

Abstract

This invention provides a collaborative robot system. It also provides a technique for managing the usage status of the collaborative robot. The collaborative robot system includes a collaborative robot with a work robot mounted on a mobile platform. This collaborative robot can move to a designated location together with a user. The collaborative robot system includes: a receiving unit for receiving user identification information; a storage unit for storing user identification information; and a control unit for controlling the movement of the mobile platform. The control unit enables the mobile platform to move when the identification information received by the receiving unit matches the identification information stored in the storage unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a technology related to collaborative robot systems. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a robot system for receiving guests. The robot system in Patent Document 1 pre-assigns an ID to each user, and upon receiving a user's ID, executes an action corresponding to that user. In this robot system, detailed information corresponding to each user's ID is pre-stored on a server. When the robot system receives an ID, it reads the detailed information from the server and executes the appropriate action corresponding to that user.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-022029 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the field of robotic systems, collaborative robots are known to move to designated locations to work alongside users. Collaborative robots are often used by multiple users. Therefore, managing the usage status of collaborative robots, such as which user moves them to which location, is crucial. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not allow for the management of the usage status of collaborative robots. The purpose of this specification is to provide a technology for managing the usage status of collaborative robots.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] The first technology disclosed in this specification can be a collaborative robot system comprising a collaborative robot with a work robot mounted on a mobile platform. The collaborative robot is capable of moving with a user to a designated location. The collaborative robot system includes: a receiving unit for receiving the user's identification information; a storage unit for storing the user's identification information; and a control unit for controlling the movement of the mobile platform. In this collaborative robot system, the control unit enables the mobile platform to move when the identification information received by the receiving unit matches the identification information stored in the storage unit.

[0010] The second technology disclosed in this specification may be a collaborative robot system based on the first technology described above, wherein the working robot has an action unit whose actions are controlled by the control unit, and the control unit enables the action unit to operate when the identification information received by the receiving unit is consistent with the identification information stored in the storage unit.

[0011] The third technology disclosed in this specification may be a collaborative robot system based on the second technology described above, wherein the storage unit stores the user's identification information in association with the action time of the action unit.

[0012] The fourth technology disclosed in this specification may be a collaborative robot system based on any of the first to third technologies described above, further comprising a solar cell that supplies power to at least one of the receiving unit and the control unit.

[0013] The effects of the invention

[0014] According to the first technology, since the movement of the mobile station is permitted upon receiving pre-stored user identification information, it is possible to prevent unauthorized individuals from moving the collaborative robot. This prevents the collaborative robot from being moved to unwanted locations by unauthorized users. Furthermore, by receiving user identification information, it is possible to determine which user moved the collaborative robot, thereby facilitating the management of its usage.

[0015] According to the second technology, the users of the collaborative robot can be restricted. Therefore, individuals without identification information cannot move the collaborative robot, nor can they make it operate in areas where the collaborative robot is present. This further facilitates the management of the collaborative robot's usage.

[0016] According to the third technology, it is possible to determine which user used the robot at what time. Therefore, it is possible to identify the user and confirm the status of the robot's use even in cases of robot malfunction. This makes it easier to manage the usage of collaborative robots.

[0017] According to the fourth technology, it is possible to reduce the amount of commercial electricity used. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a collaborative robot system is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Reference Figure 1The collaborative robot system 10 will be described. The collaborative robot system 10 can move with a user in a factory or similar location, such as a manufacturing site (an example of a designated location), to move or inspect products (workpieces). The collaborative robot system 10 includes a mobile stage 12 and a collaborative robot 20 mounted on the mobile stage 12.

[0020] The mobile platform 12 is equipped with a wheel control unit 16 and wheels 14. The wheel control unit 16 can switch the wheels 14 between a movable state and a disabled state. When the wheels 14 are in the movable state, the mobile platform 12 can move. Conversely, when the wheels 14 are in the disabled state, the mobile platform 12 cannot move. The user can only move the collaborative robot 20 to the manufacturing site, etc., when the wheels 14 are in the movable state. The switching of the wheel control unit 16 between the movable and disabled states is performed by the control unit 18. Details of the control unit 18 will be described later.

[0021] The collaborative robot 20 includes a solar cell 2, a receiver 6, a control unit 18, a storage unit 8, and a working robot 4. Additionally, the working robot 4 is equipped with an actuation unit 3. The solar cell 2 supplies power to the receiver 6 and the control unit 18. Furthermore, the power generated by the solar cell 2 can also be directly supplied to the receiver 6 and the control unit 18. Alternatively, a storage battery (not shown) can be installed within the collaborative robot 20, with the power generated by the solar cell 2 supplied to the storage battery, and from the storage battery, power supplied to the receiver 6 and the control unit 18.

[0022] The receiving unit 6 can receive identification information (ID) stored in the user's ID card. The identification information received by the receiving unit 6 is sent to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 checks the storage unit 8 to see if the received identification information is the identification information of a user authorized to use the collaborative robot 20. If the received identification information matches the identification information stored in the storage unit 8, the control unit 18 sends an actuation signal to the wheel control unit 16 and the motion unit 3. In addition, the storage unit 8 stores the identification information assigned to the user of the collaborative robot 20. Furthermore, when re-registering a user of the collaborative robot 20, the receiving unit 6 reads the user's identification information and registers it in the storage unit 8.

[0023] When the wheel control unit 16 receives an operable signal from the control unit 18, it switches the wheel 14 to an operable state. This allows the user to move the mobile platform 12 (collaborative robot 20) to the manufacturing site. Furthermore, before receiving the operable signal from the control unit 18, the wheel control unit 16 keeps the wheel 14 in an immobilized state. Therefore, those not authorized to use the collaborative robot 20 cannot move the mobile platform 12 (collaborative robot 20).

[0024] When the motion unit 3 receives an actionable signal from the control unit 18, it switches to an actionable state, causing the work robot 4 to move. This allows users to perform tasks using the work robot 4 on the manufacturing site. The movement of the work robot 4 is controlled by the control unit 18. Furthermore, before the motion unit 3 receives an actionable signal from the control unit 18, it keeps the work robot 4 in a prohibited actionable state. Therefore, those not authorized to use the collaborative robot 20 cannot move the work robot 4.

[0025] After the motion unit 3 switches to the movable state, the storage unit 8 stores the motion start time, motion time, and other identification information of the motion unit 3 (work robot 4). Therefore, the owner (manager) of the collaborative robot system 10 can confirm the date and time of use, usage time, and user records of the collaborative robot system 10. Thus, the owner (manager) of the collaborative robot system 10 can identify the user and confirm the status of the work robot 4 when it malfunctions.

[0026] The advantages of the collaborative robot system 10 are summarized below. In the collaborative robot system 10, identification information assigned to the user of the collaborative robot 20 is received, and the collaborative robot 20 can be moved and the work robot 4 can be operated only if the received identification information matches the identification information stored in the storage unit 8. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized users of the collaborative robot 20 from moving it, and also to prevent unauthorized users of the collaborative robot 20 from operating the work robot 4.

[0027] In the collaborative robot system 10, the date and time of the operation of the work robot 4 are stored in association with identification information. As a result, the owner (manager) of the collaborative robot system 10 can know which user used the collaborative robot system 10 and when, thereby making it easy to manage the usage of the collaborative robot system 10.

[0028] (Other implementation methods)

[0029] In the above embodiments, an example of the solar cell supplying power to both the receiving unit and the control unit has been described. However, the solar cell may also supply power only to the receiving unit or only to the control unit. Furthermore, in the technology disclosed in this specification, the solar cell is not a necessary structure and may be omitted.

[0030] The above embodiments illustrate the following example: when the identification information received by the receiving unit matches the identification information stored in the storage unit, the control unit sends an action signal to the motion unit (operating robot) and the wheel control unit. However, the control unit may also send an action signal only to the wheel control unit without sending an action signal to the motion unit. Even in this case, those not authorized to use the collaborative robot cannot move the collaborative robot (mobile platform); only authorized users can move the collaborative robot (mobile platform). As a result, the inconvenience of the collaborative robot being moved to an undesirable location can be prevented.

[0031] In the above embodiments, an example was described in which the storage unit stores the user's identification information in association with the motion time of the motion unit (work robot). However, in the technology disclosed in this specification, the structure that associates the user's identification information with the motion time of the motion unit (work robot) is not necessary and can be omitted.

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes examples obtained by various modifications and alterations to the specific examples described above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings individually or in various combinations are technically useful, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. Additionally, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings are technologies that simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0034] 4: Operation robot; 6: Receiving unit; 8: Storage unit; 10: Collaborative robot system; 12: Mobile station; 18: Control unit.

Claims

1. A collaborative robot system comprising a collaborative robot, wherein the collaborative robot has a working robot mounted on a mobile platform, and the collaborative robot is capable of moving with a user to a designated location. The collaborative robot system includes: a receiving unit for receiving the user's identification information; a storage unit for storing the user's identification information; and a control unit for controlling the movement of the mobile station. in, When the identification information received by the receiving unit matches the identification information stored in the storage unit, the control unit enables the mobile station to move.

2. The collaborative robot system according to claim 1, wherein, The work robot has a motion unit whose actions are controlled by the control unit. When the identification information received by the receiving unit matches the identification information stored in the storage unit, the control unit enables the action unit to operate.

3. The collaborative robot system according to claim 2, wherein, The storage unit stores the user's identification information in association with the action time of the action unit.

4. The collaborative robot system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, It also has solar cells. The solar cell supplies power to at least one of the receiving unit and the control unit.

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