Projected Robot Teaching Interface for Safe Position Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot teaching methods are challenging due to the difficulty in designating the right position in an actual space, requiring complex manipulations and practice, and direct teaching can be dangerous as operators need to touch the robot, especially when using servo motors.
Innovation Solution
A teaching device that projects an image onto a working space using an image projector, includes an indicator position detector to track the position of an indicator, and a processor to calculate teaching points for the robot, allowing for direct and intuitive teaching in the actual working space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PC simulator is used to teach robot motion, then robot can be taught to move to positions, but it is difficult to designate the right position in the actual space because teaching is done by watching a screen on a display different from the actual space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a projector as an intermediary device that projects the robot's actual position and a marker onto the working space surface. This allows the operator to see both the robot's position and the marker in the same physical space, enabling accurate position designation without needing to switch between PC display and actual space viewing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional PC screen display to three-dimensional spatial projection by projecting images directly onto the working space surface. This dimensional change allows the operator to interact with the robot's position in the actual three-dimensional space rather than translating between 2D screen coordinates and 3D physical positions
2Ease of operation
If direct teaching method is used where operator touches the robot, then robot motion can be taught directly in actual space, but it is dangerous when servo motor is turned ON
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a marker as a copy or representation of the robot's position on the projection surface. Instead of requiring the operator to physically touch the robot, the operator interacts with the marker's position on the projected image, which accurately represents the robot's location. This copying approach maintains direct teaching convenience while eliminating safety hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The projected marker serves as an intermediary between the operator and the actual robot. The operator designates positions by interacting with the marker on the projection surface rather than touching the robot directly, especially important when the servo motor is activated. This intermediary layer preserves the intuitive nature of direct teaching while ensuring operator safety
3Measurement precision
If jog operation on PC or teaching pendant is used, then robot can be moved to intended position, but complex manipulations are required and practice and skill are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically projects the robot's current position and the marker onto the working space surface, eliminating the need for manual coordinate calculations or complex pendant operations. The robot's position is self-displayed through projection, and the operator simply needs to interact with the projected marker, greatly simplifying the teaching process
Solution Approach 2:
The projection system provides real-time visual feedback of the robot's position and the marker location on the working space surface. This immediate feedback allows the operator to see the result of their actions instantly and make precise adjustments without needing to understand complex coordinate systems or perform multiple manipulation steps
Data Source
AI summary
A teaching device for teaching a motion of a robot, including an image projector which projects an image on a projection surface in a working space of the robot; an indicator position detector which detects a position of an indicator on the projection surface; an image generator which generates or updates the image based on the position of the indicator that is detected by the indicator position detector; and a processor which calculates a teaching point for teaching a motion of the robot based on the position of the indicator.