Flexible Robot Display for Mode Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems lack effective means to visually communicate their operation modes to workers in a clear and comprehensive manner, especially in collaborative environments where safety and mode recognition are critical.
Innovation Solution
A robot system featuring a flexible, sheet-like display device with LED light sources attached to the robot's outer surface, operated in distinct patterns by a controller to indicate different operation modes, allowing workers to recognize these modes from any position around the robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid display device is attached to the robot, then the display structure is stable, but it cannot adapt to different robot postures and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible base part with sheet-like configuration that can be deformed to match the outer surface of the robot. This flexible structure allows the display device to adapt to various robot postures and positions while maintaining stable attachment through the fixture that secures the base part to the robot's outer surface.
2Loss of information
If the display device covers the entire robot surface, then visual recognition from all positions is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is segmented into multiple display parts that are arranged on the flexible base part. These segmented display parts can be strategically positioned to provide comprehensive visual recognition coverage without requiring a complete 360-degree enclosure, thus reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing costs while still achieving the goal of visibility from all positions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the display device is permanently integrated into the robot, then the structural integrity is maintained, but maintenance and replacement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is designed as a separable unit with a flexible base part that can be detached from the robot. The fixture allows for easy attachment and detachment of the entire display device assembly, enabling maintenance and replacement without disassembling the robot structure, thus maintaining structural integrity while significantly improving ease of repair.
4Measurement precision
If multiple operation modes are displayed with distinct patterns, then mode recognition accuracy improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device uses periodic action through blinking patterns to indicate different operation modes. By using temporal variations (blinking at different frequencies or patterns) rather than requiring all display parts to be continuously illuminated, the system achieves high mode recognition accuracy while minimizing energy consumption, as the LEDs are activated in sequential or intermittent patterns rather than continuously.
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 worker safety by ensuring mode recognition without blind spots, reduces costs through minimal design modifications to the robot, facilitates easy maintenance and attachment/detachment of the display device, and allows for broad visual recognition of operation modes regardless of the robot's posture.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet-like base part being deformable in a shape in accordance with an outer surface of the robot and having flexibility
Implementation Method 2
one or more display parts fixed on the base part; a robot system featuring a flexible, sheet-like display device with LED light sources
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a robot system which includes: a robot; a controller controlling the robot and causing the robot to operate in a plurality of operation modes; and a display device attached on the robot and caused by the controller to operate in patterns in accordance with the operation modes, the patterns being different from one another. The display device includes: a sheet-like base part being deformable in a shape in accordance with an outer surface of the robot and having flexibility; one or more display parts fixed on the base part; and a fixture maintaining the base part in a state in which the base part is attached on the outer surface of the robot.