Modular Robot Address Verification via Redundant Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular industrial robots face challenges in ensuring safe and automated configuration of their communication networks, particularly when the number and type of modules change, which can compromise safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for configuring modular industrial robots that dynamically adjusts fieldbus addresses and uses redundant communication networks to ensure safe and automated module identification and verification, allowing for standard-compliant and SIL 3-certified operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static network setup is used for industrial robots, then the configuration is simple and stable, but the robot cannot adapt to changes in module number or order
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of fieldbus addresses based on the actual runtime structure of the modular robot. Instead of static pre-assignment, the system automatically detects the number and order of modules and assigns addresses dynamically, allowing the robot to adapt to structural changes while maintaining manageable complexity through automated processes
2Extent of automation
If manual intervention is used to configure the robot, then safety can be ensured, but the configuration process is time-consuming and not fully automatable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting modules, assigning fieldbus addresses, and verifying the configuration without manual intervention. The robot controller autonomously manages the identification and addressing of modules, achieving full automatability while maintaining safety through standardized procedures and verification mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration process includes verification steps where the system checks whether modules are correctly identified and addressed. This feedback mechanism ensures that automated configuration meets safety requirements by validating the resulting configuration against expected parameters before operational use
3Reliability
If fieldbus addresses are assigned without verification, then configuration is fast, but safety cannot be guaranteed when module structure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs verification of fieldbus address assignment as an integrated part of the configuration process. Before the robot becomes operational, the system checks that module identification and address assignment are correct, ensuring safety is established in advance rather than requiring additional time-consuming verification steps later
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for a configuration of a modular industrial robot (10), the method (100) comprising: obtaining (101) a module specification about a current structure of the robot (10), the module specification being specific for a number of modules (20) of the robot (10); configuring (102) identifiers for the modules (20) using the module specification, the identifiers being used for addressing the modules (20) via a industrial communication network (30); triggering (103) responses of the modules (20) depending on the configured identifiers; receiving (104) each of the responses via an additional communication network (40); identifying (105) each of the modules (20) from which the responses originate, a module identity of a respective identified module (20) being assigned to the response originating from it; and verifying (106) the configured identifiers using the module identities.