Actuator Light Devices for Robot State Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial robots lack effective visual indicators for operators to determine the robot's operating state, limiting human-robot interaction and understanding.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating light devices around actuators and links, controlled by a controller to display the state of actuators through various light protocols, including intensity and color changes, allowing operators to easily assess the robot's status from any position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If no light devices are installed on the robot, then the device complexity is low, but the operator cannot easily ascertain the robot's state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using light devices that emit different colors (e.g., green, yellow, red) to indicate different operational states of the robot and its actuators. This allows operators to quickly comprehend robot status without complex displays or additional sensors, resolving the contradiction between information visibility and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light devices are configured to automatically indicate robot states without requiring operator intervention or additional processing systems. The controller automatically activates appropriate light colors based on actuator states, enabling the system to communicate its status autonomously and simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Loss of information
If a simple on/off switch light is used, then the device complexity is low, but the operator cannot interpret the robot's behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by associating specific light devices with specific actuators or robot components. Each light device can independently display the state of its corresponding actuator using different colors, providing localized information about specific robot behaviors while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes by varying light color parameters to encode different robot states and behaviors. This allows a single light device to convey multiple pieces of information through color variation, eliminating the need for multiple indicators or complex display systems.
3Ease of operation
If light devices are arranged around actuators, then the operator can easily ascertain the state from any position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the robot into multiple actuator units, each with its own light device. This modular arrangement allows operators to observe specific actuator states independently while maintaining a simple overall structure. Each segmented light device is straightforward in design, preventing complexity from accumulating.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances operator understanding of the robot's state by providing clear visual cues, improving interaction and usability in human-robot co-working environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the multiple light devices may be arranged around a respective one of the actuators, and may each comprise an annular seal, a light emitting device, and a controller
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial robot and a robot are provided. The industrial robot may include a number of links, a number of actuators connected by the links, a number of light devices and a controller. Each light device may be arranged around the respective actuator and between two adjacent links. The controller may be utilized to control each light device to indicate the state of the respective actuator. Since the light device is arranged around the actuator, a user of the robot may observe the light device at any position relative to the robot. Thus, the user may easily learn the state of the actuators of the robot based on the lighting of the corresponding light device.