Robot Controller Signal Relay for Shielded Wireless Reception
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robot controllers face difficulties in receiving data from robots when there are shields like walls or workpieces between them, or when the robot's posture obstructs the wireless signal, leading to communication timeouts and incorrect abnormality detection.
Innovation Solution
A robot controller system that includes a first receiving unit for direct signal reception from a wireless device, a transfer unit to reroute signals from other robots, and a signal processing unit to process and filter data, ensuring reliable data reception even with obstructions by utilizing signals from other robot controllers when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless signal transmission is used for data communication between robot controller and robot, then communication flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but signal reception reliability deteriorates when shields are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces other robot controllers as intermediary devices that can receive wireless signals from the robot when the primary controller cannot. These intermediary controllers act as mediators to forward the operating state data to the original controller, ensuring reliable communication even when direct signal reception is blocked by shields or robot posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the robot controller continuously monitors whether it has successfully received the wireless signal containing robot operating state data. When signal reception fails, the controller requests data from other robot controllers that have successfully received the signals, creating a feedback loop that ensures data acquisition reliability.
2Device complexity
If direct wireless signal reception is used, then device complexity is reduced, but data reception reliability worsens in obstructed conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes robot controllers multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary control function and a secondary function of receiving and forwarding robot operating state data. This allows any robot controller in the system to potentially serve as a data source for any other controller, reducing the need for dedicated communication infrastructure while maintaining high reliability.
3Speed
If timeout judgment is implemented for missing signals, then abnormality detection speed is improved, but false abnormality detection increases when shields are present
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback to verify whether a missing signal is due to actual robot abnormality or simply shield obstruction. By checking whether other robot controllers have received the wireless signal, the system can distinguish between genuine failures and communication blockages, preventing false abnormality detections while maintaining timely detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a robot controller configured to reliably receive data from a robot even when there is a shield. A robot controller receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device mounted to a robot that is a control target. The signal includes data of an operating state of the robot. The robot controller includes: a first receiving unit that receives the signal including the data from the wireless device; a transfer unit that, in a case in which the signal received by the first receiving unit is a signal from other robot not to be controlled, transfers the signal to other robot controller controlling the other robot; a second receiving unit that receives the signal transferred from the other robot controller; and a signal processing unit that processes the signal received by the first receiving unit and/or the signal received by the second receiving unit.