Article Handling Remote Control With Worker Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article inspection devices require manual setting of detection conditions, which increases worker burden and can affect inspection accuracy, and pose safety risks when operated remotely without ensuring worker safety.
Innovation Solution
An article handling system with a remote device connected via a network to an article handling device, equipped with an acquisition unit to detect ambient environment, a determination unit to assess worker presence, and a transmission unit to confirm safety, allowing remote operation while ensuring worker safety by restricting dangerous operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual setting of detection conditions is performed for every device, then inspection accuracy can be adjusted, but worker burden increases and inspection accuracy may be affected by worker input errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acquires detection conditions from the inspection device without requiring manual worker input. The determination unit automatically determines worker presence based on sensor data, and the transmission unit automatically transmits this information to the remote device, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the acquisition unit continuously monitors the inspection device state, the determination unit analyzes worker presence based on this data, and the transmission unit sends updates to the remote device. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures real-time adaptation without manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If remote operation of article handling device is enabled, then worker safety is improved by reducing proximity to dangerous operations, but the ability to respond to real-time conditions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The acquisition unit continuously acquires information on the inspection device state and worker presence, transmitting this feedback to the remote device. This ensures the remote operator receives real-time information about device operations and environmental conditions, maintaining effective real-time response capability while working from a safe distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit acts as an intermediary that processes sensor data and translates it into actionable information about worker presence. This intermediary layer enables the remote device to make informed decisions about operation restrictions based on real-time conditions without requiring the operator to be physically present at the dangerous location.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If operation restrictions are imposed based on worker presence, then worker safety is enhanced, but system flexibility and operational efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The operation restrictions are dynamic rather than static. The determination unit continuously monitors worker presence and adjusts operation permissions in real-time. When no worker is detected, full operations are permitted; when a worker is detected, restrictions are applied. This dynamic adaptation ensures safety without unnecessarily reducing operational efficiency during normal work periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (such as which operations are permitted) based on the detected worker presence parameter. By automatically adjusting operation availability based on real-time sensor data, the system maintains high productivity during safe periods while ensuring protection when workers are present.
Data Source
AI summary
An article handling system includes: an article handling device including an article handling unit that executes handling with respect to an article, and a conveying unit configured to convey the article into the article handling unit and configured to convey out the article from the article handling unit; a remote device that is connected at a location spaced apart from the article handling device in a communication possible manner through a network, and includes a remote control unit that remotely controls the article handling device; an acquisition unit that acquires information on an ambient environment of the article handling device; a determination unit that determines whether or not a worker is present in a vicinity of the article handling device on the basis of the information on the ambient environment; and a transmission unit that transmits a determination result in the determination unit to the remote control unit.