Intrusion Detection with Masking Marks for Robot Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intrusion detection systems for robots, like those using light curtains, are inefficient when dealing with variously shaped workpieces and tools, as they require pre-registration of shapes to avoid false alarms, leading to decreased production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An intrusion detection device with light emitting marks and an imaging system that allows for temporary invalidation of detection by using masking marks on permitted moving bodies, enabling the delivery of workpieces to robots without stopping or warning, by setting a masking area based on detected marks in the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light curtains are used to detect intrusion, then safety is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates due to frequent robot stops and warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a masking area with specific optical properties that differ from the general intrusion monitoring area. The masking area is defined by light emitting marks that create a localized zone where intrusion detection is temporarily suspended, allowing workpiece delivery without triggering safety warnings or robot stops, thus resolving the contradiction between safety monitoring and production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light emitting marks as an intermediary element between the intrusion detection system and the workpiece delivery process. These marks serve as a mediator that temporarily modifies the detection behavior of the light curtains, creating a controlled exception zone that allows legitimate workpiece delivery while maintaining safety monitoring elsewhere, thereby improving production efficiency without compromising overall safety
2Measurement precision
If pre-registration of moving body shapes is required, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning light emitting marks on or near the intrusion monitoring area boundary before operation begins. These marks establish the masking area in advance, eliminating the need for real-time shape registration of moving bodies during operation. This approach maintains detection accuracy through pre-configured optical references while dramatically improving ease of operation by removing complex registration procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by instead of registering the moving body's shape to the detection system, the system creates a fixed masking area using light emitting marks that automatically recognizes permitted areas. This inversion eliminates the need for operators to register each moving body's geometry, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining detection accuracy through the pre-established optical reference framework
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 delivery of workpieces to robots without triggering warnings or stops, improving production efficiency by allowing exceptions to intrusion detection based on attached masking marks, which specify location and direction, thereby reducing unnecessary interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting mark in the specification is a constituent element which emits or reflects light and can control light intensity to be emitted or reflected by turning on and off a light source, releasing and cutting off a light path, or changing a reflection rate of a reflector
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device which images an area including the plurality of light emitting marks, and outputs the captured image
Data Source
AI summary
An intrusion detection device includes: a light emitting unit which forms a plurality of light emitting marks arranged on a boundary of an intrusion monitoring area; an imaging device which images an area including the plurality of light emitting marks, and outputs the captured image; and a detection unit which detects predetermined marks which are different from the light emitting marks, from the output image, sets a masking area on the image based on the detected marks, and detects an intrusion material in the intrusion monitoring area based on the image in an area other than the masking area.