Robot Arm Link Section Photoelectric Sensor Blind Spot Elimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot arm mechanisms face challenges in enhancing safety while maintaining a wide movable area and minimizing cost and weight, particularly in equipping contact and proximity sensors along the arm sections due to the linear extension and contraction mechanism's design.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of photoelectric sensors installed on link sections or joints with an optical path spanning both ends of the link section, ensuring comprehensive detection area coverage without blind spots, using either transmission or reflective types, and arranging multiple sensors around the arm section for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact sensors or proximity sensors are equipped on arm sections to enhance safety, then safety is improved, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with optical detection using photoelectric sensors. The optical path spans the entire link section externally, eliminating the need for physical contact sensors on the arm, thereby improving safety without adding significant weight to the moving components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the sensor from a one-dimensional position (on the arm surface) to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement (external optical path spanning both ends). This dimensional change allows comprehensive detection coverage without requiring multiple sensors on the arm section, reducing overall system weight.
2Reliability
If contact sensors or proximity sensors are equipped on arm sections to enhance safety, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical sensor arrangements with a simpler optical system. A single photoelectric sensor with an external optical path replacing multiple contact or proximity sensors simplifies the overall device structure and reduces cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The photoelectric sensor serves multiple detection functions simultaneously - detecting objects at both ends of the link section and monitoring the entire optical path, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors positioned at different locations on the arm.
3Area of stationary object
If the arm section is given extension and contraction property by linear extension and contraction mechanism, then movable area is enlarged, but it becomes difficult to equip contact sensors and proximity sensors in the middle of the arm section, creating blind areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional sensor placement (on the arm surface) to three-dimensional optical path arrangement (external to the arm, spanning both ends). This allows the optical detection to cover the entire link section including middle areas, eliminating blind spots while preserving the extension and contraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external optical path as an intermediary detection medium that spans the link section without interfering with the linear extension and contraction mechanism. This intermediary optical system provides comprehensive detection coverage without constraining the arm's movable area.
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
This configuration enhances safety by eliminating blind areas and increasing sensitivity range without significant weight or cost increments, allowing for effective detection of approaching objects from any direction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one photoelectric sensor is installed on a link section or a joint
Data Source
AI summary
A robot arm mechanism has a plurality of link sections. The plurality of link sections are connected by a plurality of joints. Each of the link sections is provided with a plurality of photoelectric sensors. The photoelectric sensor is constituted of a light projecting section and a light receiving section. The light projecting section is installed at one end of the link section. The light receiving section is installed at the other end of the link section. On an outside of the link section, an optical path reaching the light receiving section from the light projecting section is positioned. Approach of a worker to the link section can be detected by the optical path of any of the photoelectric sensors being cut off.