Carriage-Borne Robot Arm Radar Guarding for Flexible Collaborative Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated equipment in collaborative environments require time-consuming setup and calibration of physical and electronic barriers, which can be easily defeated, and existing range sensing systems fail to differentiate between probable and improbable engagement objects, compromising collaboration between humans and vehicles/robot arms.
Innovation Solution
A collaborative robot guarding system using radar sensors mounted on articulated arms for agile obstacle detection and trajectory planning, allowing dynamic adjustment of scanning based on arm motion and shape, enabling efficient and secure operation in variable workspaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical and electronic barriers are installed around automated equipment, then safety is improved, but setup time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical barriers (mechanical system) with a radar-based sensing system that uses electromagnetic waves to detect obstacles. The radar sensors mounted on the robotic arm eliminate the need for physical fencing and complex electronic barrier installations, achieving safety through active sensing rather than passive physical containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensing system is integrated directly onto the robotic arm, allowing the system to perform its own safety monitoring without requiring external barrier installations. The robotic arm carries its own sensing capabilities, enabling it to autonomously detect obstacles and adjust its trajectory without needing external safety infrastructure.
2Reliability
If fixed physical barriers are used, then safety is improved, but adaptability to different locations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static physical barriers to a dynamic radar sensing system mounted on the movable robotic arm. The sensing system moves with the arm and dynamically adjusts its scanning based on the arm's position and motion, providing safety coverage that adapts to different locations and operational configurations without requiring reinstallation of physical barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated radar sensing system serves multiple functions: it provides safety monitoring, obstacle detection, and trajectory planning assistance. This universal system replaces multiple location-specific barrier installations, enabling the robotic arm to operate safely in various locations without requiring customized safety infrastructure for each position.
3Reliability
If broad space illumination sensing is used, then all objects are detected, but differentiation between probable and improbable engagement objects fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different sensing strategies to different spatial regions. The radar system identifies probable engagement objects (those in the arm's trajectory path) versus improbable objects (those outside the operational envelope). The system focuses its detection and classification resources on regions where engagement is likely, rather than treating all detected objects uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensing system provides continuous feedback about detected objects to the trajectory planning system. This feedback loop enables real-time differentiation between probable and improbable engagement objects based on their position, velocity, and trajectory relative to the robotic arm, allowing the system to adjust its operation accordingly rather than treating all objects equally.
4Adaptability or versatility
If radar sensors are mounted on articulated arms for agile detection, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radar sensing system with the robotic arm structure, integrating multiple functions into a single unified system. The radar sensors, mounting mechanisms, and control systems are combined with the arm's existing degrees of freedom and control architecture, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate sensing and manipulation systems.
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 secure and efficient operation of robotic systems in collaborative environments by dynamically adjusting scanning to avoid obstacles and differentiate between humans and objects, reducing setup time and enhancing safety and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A collaborative robot guarding system uses radar sensors borne by an articulated arm for detecting collaborative objects in a workspace environment
Implementation Method 2
The controller is configured so that radar emissions from selected ones of the radar sensors sound a dynamically selected limited region of the collaborative space
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic transport system including, carriage-borne articulated arm having frame, drive section connected to frame, articulated arm portions operably coupled to drive section providing carriage-borne articulated arm with arm motion in at least one axis of motion moving at least a portion of the articulated arm portions in a collaborative space, corresponding to selectably variable carriage location of carriage-borne articulated arm, from a first location, to another different location of at least the portion of the articulated arm portions in the collaborative space and an electromagnetic affection envelope, generated by electromagnetic emitters, borne by carriage-borne articulated arm so that the electromagnetic affection envelope is defined by carriage-borne articulated arm and is close coupled and substantially conformal to at least a dynamic contour portion of each different arm shape of carriage-borne articulated arm with at least the portion of the articulated arm portions moving from first location to other different location.