Handheld Robot Coupling for One-Handed Arm Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot operating devices require two hands for safe operation, which is inefficient and increases the distance between the user and the robot arm, limiting ergonomic control and increasing the complexity and cost of sensor integration for manual guidance.
Innovation Solution
A handheld robot operating device with a multi-dimensional input device and a coupling member that allows for one-handed operation, enabling hand-guided movement of the robot arm while ensuring safety through a three-state enabling button, and using a 3D/6D mouse or joystick for force-sensitive control, which is cost-effectively integrated with the robot arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional robot operating device is used, then safety is ensured through two-handed operation, but operation efficiency decreases and ergonomic control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates safety functions from control functions by implementing a dedicated enabling button that must be pressed with one hand while the other hand operates the control interface. This segmentation allows simultaneous execution of safety monitoring and efficient control operations without requiring both hands on the same interface element
Solution Approach 2:
The enabling button acts as an intermediary safety mechanism that mediates between the operator's control inputs and the robot's execution system. It provides a physical safety gate that can be independently activated, allowing efficient control operations while maintaining safety through a dedicated intermediate control element
2Reliability
If a traditional robot operating device is used, then safety is ensured through two-handed operation, but the distance between user and robot arm increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the enabling button from the main control interface, the device allows the operator to position the control interface closer to the robot arm while maintaining safety through the distributed enabling button. This segmentation enables optimized spatial arrangement that reduces distance without compromising safety
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are integrated for manual guidance, then control precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a multi-functional control interface that serves both as a control panel and incorporates force-sensitive elements capable of detecting manual guidance inputs. This universal interface eliminates the need for separate sensor systems, maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface utilizes the operator's natural hand movements and forces as input signals, making the system self-sufficient for detection purposes. The force-sensitive elements leverage the operator's own physical interactions rather than requiring external sensor systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining precision
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
Enables efficient, ergonomic, and cost-effective one-handed manual guidance of robot arms, reducing the need for additional sensors and allowing versatile operation across various robot types and environments.
Implementation Method 1
the multi-dimensional input device having at least one sensor configured to detect a movement of the manual actuator relative to the base body in the plurality of dimensions
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates a handheld robot operating device (1), having a coupling element (9) which is arranged on the manual actuating element (7.1) of the multidimensional input device (7) of the handheld robot operating device (1) and is designed for the manual hand-guidance of the robot arm (6) by means of manual action on the handle (2) of the handheld robot operating device (1) coupled mechanically to the robot arm (6), which coupling element is designed, in the coupled state of the handheld robot operating device (1), to connect the manual actuating element (7.1) mechanically rigidly to an element (6.1) of the robot arm (6). The invention further relates to an associated coupling apparatus (20), to an associated robot, and to an associated method.