Robot Controller Synchronizes Multi-Robot Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot control systems require manual timing adjustments to prevent interference between robots operating at different speeds, leading to increased energy consumption, reduced efficiency, and longer preparation times, especially in synchronized operations like spot welding or painting.
Innovation Solution
A robot controller that calculates the shortest movement time for each robot to reach synchronous operation positions without stopping, generates operation plans for speed changes, and synchronizes robot operations using communication between controllers to prevent interference and optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual timing adjustments are made to prevent interference between robots, then interference prevention is achieved, but energy consumption increases and preparation time lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The robot controller automatically calculates movement times and generates speed adjustment plans without manual intervention. The system self-regulates by having each robot controller independently compute its own movement parameters based on communicated operation end times, eliminating the need for external timing adjustments while preventing interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through communication between robot controllers, where each controller shares operation end time information with others. This feedback loop enables automatic synchronization, allowing robots to adjust their speed profiles based on real-time operational data from other robots, thereby preventing interference without manual timing adjustments
2Reliability
If manual timing adjustments are made to synchronize robots, then synchronous operation is achieved, but preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot controller performs preliminary calculations of movement times and generates speed adjustment plans before robot operations commence. By pre-computing the optimal speed profiles based on communicated operation end times, the system eliminates the need for manual timing adjustments and reduces preparation time while ensuring accurate synchronous operation
Solution Approach 2:
Each robot controller autonomously calculates its own movement parameters and generates speed adjustment plans without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability automatically synchronizes robot operations by having each controller independently determine the appropriate speed profile based on communicated operation end times, significantly reducing preparation time
3Productivity
If robots operate at different speeds without speed adjustment, then individual robot efficiency is maintained, but interference occurs in overlapping operation ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts robot speeds by generating speed adjustment plans that modify speed profiles during operation. Each robot controller calculates appropriate speed modifications based on communicated operation end times, allowing robots to temporarily adjust their speeds in overlapping operation ranges to prevent interference while maintaining individual efficiency in non-overlapping regions
Data Source
AI summary
A controller calculates first movement times when moving each robot hand from a movement start position to a synchronous operation position in a shortest time and decides the longest first movement time as a second movement time. The controller generates, for each robot, a robot operation plan for moving each robot hand without stopping from the movement start position to the synchronous operation position in the second movement time. The robot hand of each robot moves from the movement start position to the synchronous operation position without stopping and simultaneously reach the synchronous operation positions.