Mobile Robot Arm Power Sequencing for Faster Workstation Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems face delays in starting work after movement due to the time required for electric power supply to be restored to robot arms, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a robot system that moves a vehicle to a work station in a state where electric power is not supplied to the electric motor, starting power supply during movement and arranging the vehicle in an operable state upon arrival, allowing the robot arm to begin work promptly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electric power is supplied to the electric motor during movement of the vehicle, then the robot arm can start work immediately upon arrival, but power consumption during movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device starts supplying electric power to the electric motor before the vehicle arrives at the work station, during the movement phase. This preliminary action ensures that the robot arm is ready to operate immediately upon arrival, eliminating startup delays while optimizing power consumption by timing the power supply to coincide with the movement phase rather than maintaining it throughout
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the power supply state based on the vehicle's movement status and proximity to the work station. The control device transitions the electric motor from a power-off state during initial movement to a power-on state before arrival, creating a dynamic power management strategy that balances productivity and energy consumption based on real-time operational context
2Use of energy by moving object
If electric power is not supplied to the electric motor during movement, then power consumption is reduced, but work start is delayed upon arrival
Solution Approach 1:
The control device initiates power supply to the electric motor during the movement phase, performing the power-on action in advance before the vehicle reaches the work station. This ensures that the robot arm requires no additional startup time upon arrival, eliminating work start delays while maintaining reduced power consumption during the majority of the movement phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the idle waiting period that would normally occur between vehicle arrival and robot arm startup by pre-starting the power supply during movement. This rushes through the potential delay period, ensuring continuous operational flow without sacrificing the energy-saving benefits of powering off during transit
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system includes a robot arm driven by an electric motor and a vehicle that is movable and supports the robot arm. A control method includes (a) moving the vehicle to a work station of a first type and (b) driving the robot arm in the work station of the first type. The (a) executes a first operation mode for, in a part of the movement to the work station of the first type, moving the vehicle in a state in which electric power is not supplied to the electric motor, starting supply of the electric power to the electric motor during the movement of the vehicle in the state in which the electric power is not supplied to the electric motor, and arranging the vehicle in the work station of the first type in a state in which the electric power is supplied to the electric motor.