Mobile Robot Operation with Proximity-Verified Safety Commands
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern robot systems, especially those used in manufacturing like automobile production, pose safety risks due to fast and complex movements, requiring operators to be physically close for emergency stop control, limiting flexibility and safety assurance when using traditional wired emergency stop switches.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a mobile operating device that transmits presence signals via short-range connections to ensure the operator's proximity before allowing safety-relevant control commands, using a dual signal connection system to verify presence and configure the user interface accordingly, ensuring safety while allowing greater operator mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired emergency stop switch is used to ensure operator proximity, then safety is improved, but operator mobility and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired emergency stop switch with a wireless presence detection system using mobile devices and signal connections. This substitution eliminates the physical cable constraint while maintaining safety through electronic presence verification, allowing operators to move freely within range while the system continuously monitors their proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile operating device as an intermediary between the operator and the robot system. This device serves as a mediator that communicates the operator's presence status to the robot control system, enabling safety verification without requiring direct physical connection, thus bridging the gap between safety requirements and operator mobility.
2Reliability
If operator proximity is required for safety, then safety is improved, but system flexibility and remote operation capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic presence verification system that continuously monitors operator proximity through signal connections rather than static physical constraints. The system adaptively adjusts its safety requirements based on real-time presence detection, allowing flexible operation modes while maintaining safety through continuous verification of operator proximity or authorized absence.
3Ease of operation
If a mobile operating device is used to increase flexibility, then operator mobility is improved, but safety assurance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile operating device continuously communicates presence status to the robot control system through signal connections. The system receives real-time feedback about operator proximity and automatically adjusts its operational state accordingly, enabling safety assurance through continuous monitoring and automatic response to presence changes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to the field of operating a robot system by means of a mobile operating device which is external to the robot system. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a system for automatically securing the operation of a robot system and corresponding components of the system, said operation be controlled by such a mobile operating device. The robot system receives presence signals transmitted from a mobile operating device via a short-range first signal connection and an operating signal transmitted via a second signal connection designed to be independent of the first signal connection, said operating signal containing a safety-relevant control command for the robot system. The control command is only released for execution by the robot system if a presence check has ascertained that the last received presence signal satisfies a presence criterion which is specified with respect to the determination of a spatial proximity of the operating device to the robot system. Additionally, a configuration signal derived from the result of the presence check is transmitted back to the operating device for configuration on the basis of the result.