Robot Arm Haptic Gesture Interface for Safer Collaborative Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot systems require operators to frequently switch between guiding the robot and using additional input devices, leading to cumbersome interactions and potential safety hazards due to divided attention during direct human-robot collaboration.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with a control unit and sensor system that responds to user haptic gestures, allowing for the performance of predetermined operations, and integrates force and torque sensors to record and interpret these gestures for enhanced interaction and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional input devices are provided for robot control, then operational functionality is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to switch between multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple input device functions into the robot arm itself by integrating sensors that detect haptic gestures directly on the arm structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate input devices while maintaining full operational functionality, as the robot arm becomes both the manipulated object and the control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm is designed to serve multiple functions: it performs manipulation tasks while simultaneously serving as the control input device through integrated sensors. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to both execute operations and receive control commands, reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional input devices are provided for robot control, then operational functionality is improved, but device complexity increases due to more components
Solution Approach 1:
The control input functionality is merged into the robot arm structure itself through integrated sensors. This eliminates separate input devices and reduces system complexity while maintaining full operational functionality through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm serves dual purposes as both the manipulated tool and the control interface. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components in the system while preserving all necessary operational capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If operators use additional input devices during robot operation, then control precision is improved, but safety deteriorates due to divided attention
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the control interface with the robot arm itself, operators can issue commands through natural haptic gestures while maintaining visual contact with the robot. This integration preserves precise control capability while eliminating the safety risk of divided attention between separate input devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Haptic gestures serve as an intermediary control method that allows operators to interact with the robot through intuitive physical movements rather than discrete input device operations. This mediator enables precise control while keeping the operator's attention focused on the robot's movements and environment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safer and more efficient operation by allowing haptic gestures to control robot actions, reducing setup times and minimizing costs through the use of existing sensors for abstract interaction, and providing intuitive feedback.
Implementation Method 1
integrated force and torque sensors which, according to the invention, can be used and are accordingly designed to detect and transmit to the control unit the external forces, moments, and torques acting on the robot arm or only on parts of its arm segments through the haptic gestures of an operator
Implementation Method 2
integrated force and torque sensors which, according to the invention, can be used and are accordingly designed to detect and transmit to the control unit the external forces, moments, and torques acting on the robot arm
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a robot system comprising at least one robot arm, a control unit for controlling the robot arm, and a robot arm sensor unit; the controller and the robot arm sensor unit are designed to react to the user's predefined haptic gestures acting on the robot arm in such a way that the robot system performs at least one predefined operation associated with the haptic gesture.