Collaborative Workbench Validation for Safe Robot-Assisted Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current assisted workbenches lack integrated systems for efficient human-robot collaboration and task management, particularly in complex manufacturing tasks like aircraft assembly, where they fail to provide adaptive and safe working environments that optimize user interaction and component handling.
Innovation Solution
A collaborative robot workbench system with adjustable workbenches, component containers, optical projectors, and sensors, controlled by a central processor that manages user profiles, task instructions, and workspace safety, ensuring accurate component placement and validation through user input and smartwatch integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If collaborative robots are integrated into workbenches for human-robot collaboration, then productivity and task completion efficiency are improved, but safety risks and potential collisions between humans and robots increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors (cameras, depth sensors, force sensors) to continuously monitor the workspace and detect human presence, robot position, and potential collision risks. This real-time feedback enables the controller to adjust robot behavior dynamically, ensuring safe human-robot collaboration while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the robot and human worker, mediating their interaction through coordinated control. The controller processes sensor data and generates control signals that enable the robot to adapt its movements and operations to ensure human safety while completing tasks efficiently
2Manufacturing precision
If workbenches are equipped with multiple integrated components (component containers, optical projectors, displays, sensors), then manufacturing precision and task accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (component containers with indicators, optical projectors for guidance, displays for information, sensors for detection) into a unified workbench system. The controller coordinates all these components to work together seamlessly, achieving high manufacturing precision while managing complexity through centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The workbench system is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various tasks (component storage, visual guidance, information display, collision detection, task control) through a single integrated system. This universal design allows the same system to support different manufacturing tasks with varying precision requirements
3Ease of operation
If adaptive working conditions are provided for individual users through user profiles and customizable interfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages user profiles and adapts working conditions based on stored user preferences and historical data. Users can log in and the system automatically configures the interface, component locations, and task parameters according to their profile, eliminating manual setup and providing personalized assistance without requiring users to manage complex configurations
4Manufacturing precision
If real-time monitoring and validation systems are implemented to ensure accurate component placement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time for validation and inspection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The validation process occurs continuously during task execution rather than as a separate post-processing step. Sensors continuously monitor component placement in real-time, and the controller validates positions as components are being assembled, eliminating idle validation time while maintaining high precision through ongoing verification
Data Source
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AI summary
A workbench system (100) comprising: a workbench (102);one or more sensors (120, 126) mounted to the workbench (102); a multi-axis robot(104) comprising an end effector (130) for holding an object; and a controller (106) configured to: control the robot (104) to move the object held by the end effector (130) relative to the one or more sensors (120, 126); control the one or more sensors (120, 126) to measure one or more physical properties of the object held by the end effector (130); and perform a validation process using the measurements taken by the one or more sensors (120, 126).