Robot Arm Control Device with Pressure Sensing and Workspace Definition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In collaborative robot arm operations, ensuring operator safety and efficiency is challenging due to the risk of conflicts between robot arms and operators, particularly in complex and flexible manufacturing processes, where defining the robot's working space to prevent collisions is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A robot arm control device comprising a pressure sensing module, a workspace defining module, and a control module that detects objects and adjusts the operating mode and working range of the robot arm based on the object's position, emitting stop signals or adjusting speed and torque to prevent collisions and ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot arm operates with high speed and high torque to improve productivity, then the manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the safety hazard to the operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot arm control system dynamically adjusts its operating parameters (speed and torque) based on the detected position of objects or operators in the workspace. When an operator is detected in the safe operation area, the system automatically reduces the robot arm's speed and torque to safe levels, allowing high productivity when the area is clear while ensuring operator safety when present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensing modules to continuously detect the position of objects or operators in the workspace and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of robot arm parameters, creating a closed-loop safety control system that responds to operator presence by modifying operational characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot arm working space is expanded to increase flexibility in complex manufacturing processes, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of collision with operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically defines and adjusts the robot arm's working space boundaries based on operator position detection. When an operator enters the safe operation area, the system automatically restricts the robot arm's operational boundaries, preventing it from entering zones that could cause collision while still allowing flexible operation in safe zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The workspace is segmented into different zones, including a designated safe operation area where operators can work. The sensing modules detect which zone objects or operators occupy, and the control system adjusts robot arm parameters accordingly, allowing full flexibility in robot zones while protecting operator zones.
3Productivity
If the robot arm operates autonomously without workspace restrictions to maximize productivity, then the output is improved, but the safety control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensing modules that monitor the workspace for operator presence. This feedback mechanism allows the robot arm to operate autonomously at high productivity levels when the workspace is clear, while automatically triggering safety protocols when operators are detected, thus maintaining both high output and reliable safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm control system incorporates self-service safety monitoring, where the sensing modules and control unit automatically detect operator presence and adjust robot parameters without external intervention. This self-monitoring capability enables the system to maintain high productivity while autonomously ensuring safety control when needed.
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
The solution effectively reduces hazards and collision probabilities by dynamically adjusting the robot arm's operating parameters, ensuring safe and efficient man-machine collaborative operations by restricting the working range and reducing the maximum moving speed or torque when an object is detected close to the robot arm.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure sensing module is arranged on a robot arm to detect whether an object hits or touches the robot arm
Data Source
AI summary
A robot arm control device includes a pressure sensing module, a workspace defining module and a control module. The pressure sensing module, arranged on a robot arm, detects whether an object hits or touches the robot arm to switch the operating mode of the robot arm. The workspace defining module includes a sensing region arranged on a peripheral area around the robot arm. The workspace defining module determines whether the object enters an operating space according to the position of the object in the sensing region, and sets the working range and the working mode of the robot arm according to which operating space the object has entered. The control module, connected to the robot arm, the pressure sensing module and the workspace defining module, switches the operating mode and outputs a motor driving signal to the robot arm according to the working mode of the robot arm.