Replenishing Device Sensor for Automatic Work Station Draw-Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work systems require manual or inefficient automated draw-out of work devices, leading to prolonged waiting times and safety concerns during the process.
Innovation Solution
A work system with a replenishing device equipped with sensors to detect interfering objects, allowing for automatic draw-out of work devices orthogonal to the board conveyance line, ensuring safety by checking for obstacles before initiating the draw-out process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual or operator-controlled draw-out of work devices is used, then operator control over the process is maintained, but waiting time from operator arrival to work device draw-out is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting when a work device needs to be drawn out (when no board is present) and initiating the draw-out process before the operator arrives. The detection device monitors the work device status continuously, and the control device automatically commands the draw-out mechanism, eliminating waiting time for manual intervention.
2Loss of time
If automatic draw-out of work devices is implemented, then waiting time is reduced, but safety concerns arise regarding operator contact during draw-out
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a detection device that provides continuous feedback about the presence of operators or obstacles near the work devices. The control device uses this feedback information to determine whether it is safe to initiate automatic draw-out. When no interfering objects are detected, the system proceeds with automatic draw-out; if objects are detected, the system waits or alerts the operator, thus maintaining safety while enabling automation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dedicated sensors are installed for detecting interfering objects during draw-out, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both the safety function (detecting interfering objects during draw-out) and the operational function (detecting whether a board is present on the work device). This universal approach allows a single detection device to perform multiple tasks, avoiding the need for separate dedicated safety sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A work system includes multiple work devices aligned along a board conveyance line, a replenishing device having a sensor for detecting presence or absence of an interfering object and configured to move in parallel with the board conveyance line while detecting the presence or absence of the interfering object by the sensor to replenish necessary members to the multiple work devices, and a draw-out device configured to draw out at least one of the multiple work devices in a direction orthogonal to a direction along the board conveyance line. When a draw-out request for the work device is made, the replenishing device performs an automatic draw-out process of moving to a position in which a draw-out position of the work device to be pulled forward is included within a detection range of the sensor, so as to determine whether the interfering object is detected by the sensor, and directly or indirectly outputting a signal to the draw-out device such that the work device to be pulled forward is drawn when the interfering object is not detected.