Mobile Production Robot Preparation During Transit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In production systems with self-movable industrial devices, the inefficiency arises when these devices arrive at a location and only then start preparing for a job, leading to decreased production efficiency due to waiting times before the job can commence.
Innovation Solution
A production system is developed that allows the self-movable industrial device to prepare for the next job en route to its destination, utilizing wireless communication during movement and switching to wired communication upon arrival, enabling immediate job execution upon completion of preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the self-movable industrial device waits at the location before starting preparation for the next job, then the device can ensure stable wired communication connection, but the production efficiency decreases due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preparation for the next job during the movement to the next location, rather than waiting after arrival. The circuitry controls the industrial device to download job data and complete preparation tasks en route, utilizing wireless communication during movement. This preliminary action eliminates idle waiting time and allows the device to immediately commence the next job upon arrival with stable wired connection already established.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous productive activity by overlapping the movement phase with the preparation phase. Instead of having idle periods where the device waits at locations, the preparation work continues uninterrupted during transit. This continuity ensures that the device is always engaged in useful work - either moving to the next location or preparing for the next job, thereby maximizing productivity without compromising communication reliability.
2Reliability
If the self-movable industrial device starts preparation for the next job after arriving at the location, then the device can use stable wired communication, but the waiting time increases reducing production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system downloads job data and completes preparation tasks during the movement to the next location using wireless communication. The circuitry is configured to initiate data download and preparation activities before the device arrives at the destination, utilizing the movement time productively. This preliminary action reduces or eliminates waiting time after arrival while maintaining communication stability through switched wired connection upon arrival.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches communication modes based on the device's state and location. During movement, wireless communication is used for flexibility and continuity. Upon arrival and connection to power supply, the system transitions to wired communication for stable data transfer and job execution. This dynamic adaptation optimizes both time efficiency and communication reliability at different operational phases.
3Loss of time
If the self-movable industrial device uses wireless communication during movement and switches to wired communication upon arrival, then the preparation time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The industrial device is equipped with dual communication capabilities - both wireless and wired interfaces are integrated into the single device. The circuitry intelligently selects and switches between communication modes based on operational context (movement vs. stationary). This multi-functionality allows the device to maintain reduced preparation time through wireless communication during transit while ensuring stable connection via wired interface upon arrival, without requiring separate dedicated devices for each communication mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A production system comprising: an industrial device being self-movable; and circuitry configured to; control the industrial device to prepare for a next job before the industrial device arrives at a next location; and control the industrial device to perform the next job when the industrial device arrives at the next location and a preparation for the next job is completed.