Manual Handle Haptic Feedback for CNC Program State Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of machine tools need a more intuitive way to confirm the execution state of programs, as current methods require monitoring a screen during manual handle rotation.

Innovation Solution

A numerical control device that includes a program execution section, an execution state specification section, and a haptic control section, which generates haptic feedback in the manual handle based on the program's execution state, allowing operators to intuitively understand the program's status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the operator monitors the screen to confirm program execution state, then the execution state can be confirmed, but the operator cannot intuitively understand the program progress and must constantly watch the screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram execution state informationVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements haptic feedback through the manual handle that provides tactile information about program execution state. The control unit generates vibration signals based on the relationship between manual handle rotation amount and program execution progress, allowing the operator to intuitively sense program status through touch rather than visual monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the visual monitoring mechanism with a haptic feedback mechanism. Instead of requiring the operator to visually check the screen to understand program execution state, the system uses vibration feedback through the manual handle to convey the same information tactilely, substituting visual information processing with mechanical sensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the operator constantly watches the screen to confirm execution state, then accurate monitoring is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution state confirmation accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous haptic feedback during manual handle rotation, with vibration characteristics that change according to program execution progress. This allows the operator to maintain accurate awareness of execution state without diverting attention from the operation, thereby preserving both measurement precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual handle itself serves dual functions: it is both the operation input device and the information feedback device. The handle provides tactile information about program execution state directly to the operator's hand, eliminating the need for separate visual monitoring and enabling the operator to perform both operations and monitoring simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12271176B2Numerical control device

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 FANUC LTD

AI summary

Provided is a numerical control device whereby the execution state of a program can be more intuitively confirmed. This numerical control device, which controls a machine tool on the basis of a program, comprises: a program execution unit having a prescribed function for executing a program in response to the rotation of a manual handle of the machine tool; an execution state identification unit that identifies the execution state of the program; and a haptic controller that generates haptic feedback in the manual handle on the basis of the prescribed function and the execution state of the program.