Integrated Robot Controller Logic for PLC-Free Peripheral Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and programming of robot arms in industrial applications are complex and require extensive expertise, involving costly and time-consuming processes, especially due to the need for intermediate auxiliary circuitry like PLCs, which restricts small and medium-sized facilities from efficiently integrating robots into their production processes.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that allows direct control of peripheral devices by a single robot controller without intermediate auxiliary circuitry, using a dual software process approach where the robot control process and auxiliary control process are executed in parallel, reducing the need for external circuitry and enabling easier programming and reprogramming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intermediate auxiliary circuitry like PLCs is used to facilitate robot-arm interactions with peripheral devices, then the robot system can be controlled, but the device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the robot controller and PLC functionality into a single integrated controller. The robot controller directly executes auxiliary control processes and establishes logic signals without requiring separate external PLC circuitry. This merging eliminates the need for intermediate auxiliary circuitry while maintaining both robot control and logic signal generation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the robot arm movements and simultaneously executes auxiliary control processes to establish logic signals for peripheral devices. This multi-functionality allows the single controller to replace both the traditional robot controller and PLC, reducing system complexity.
2Reliability
If intermediate auxiliary circuitry like PLCs is used, then the robot system can interact with peripheral devices, but the installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating PLC functionality into the robot controller, the system eliminates the need for separate PLC installation and configuration. The robot controller directly executes auxiliary control processes, reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining full interaction capability with peripheral devices.
3Device complexity
If a single robot controller executes both robot control process and auxiliary control process, then the device complexity is reduced, but the processing load on the controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller executes the robot control process and auxiliary control process as separate, concurrent processes. The auxiliary control process is segmented into distinct steps: receiving application input signals, establishing logic signals based on those inputs, and providing logic output signals. This segmentation allows efficient resource management while maintaining reduced system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a robot system comprising: a robot arm, a robot controller configured to execute a robot control In process based on a robot control software program and an auxiliary control process based on an auxiliary control software program; and a peripheral device communicatively connected to the 5 robot controller. Execution of the robot control process is performed by the robot controller resulting in operation of the robot arm. Execution of the auxiliary control process is performed by the robot controller resulting in establishing of a logic signal based on an application input signal received from the robot control process or the peripheral device. The auxiliary control process is configured to 10 establish a logic output signal based on the logic signal and, based on the logic output signal, configured to control operation of any of the robot control process and the peripheral device.