Robot Controller Automatic Mode Switching via Teach Pendant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot systems require operators to manually change between teaching and repeat modes, leading to cumbersome operations and potential errors, especially in systems with multiple robots and shared teach pendants.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with a portable operation terminal that automatically changes operation modes based on connection and disconnection with the terminal, eliminating the need for manual mode switching, and incorporating a hot swapping function to facilitate remote operation without power interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mode changing switch is equipped on the robot controller to enable manual switching between teaching mode and repeat mode, then the robot system can safely control operation modes, but the operator's workload increases and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The robot controller automatically detects the connection state of the teach pendant and switches modes autonomously without requiring operator intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state and making mode changes based on detected conditions, thereby eliminating the need for manual mode switching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot controller continuously monitors the connection state of the teach pendant and uses this feedback information to automatically determine and switch between teaching mode and repeat mode. The feedback loop ensures that mode changes are synchronized with the actual operational needs detected through pendant connection status.
2Reliability
If the operator manually operates the mode changing switch for each operation check, then precise control over operation modes is achieved, but time is lost due to repetitive manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for mode changes by continuously monitoring the teach pendant connection state in advance. When the pendant is connected, the system is already prepared to switch to teaching mode, and when disconnected, it prepares to switch to repeat mode, eliminating the need for manual mode changing decisions during operation checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot controller autonomously manages mode transitions based on detected pendant connection states, freeing the operator from repetitive manual mode switching tasks during operation checks and reducing time loss.
3Device complexity
If a teach pendant common to multiple robots is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the need for manual mode switching across multiple robots increases operational burden
Solution Approach 1:
The robot controller is designed to universally control multiple robots through a single teach pendant. The automatic mode switching capability extends to all connected robots, allowing one pendant to efficiently manage mode changes across the entire robot system without requiring separate mode switching for each robot.
Solution Approach 2:
When multiple robots are connected to a single teach pendant, the controller system automatically coordinates mode changes across all robots based on the pendant's connection state, eliminating the need for operators to manually switch modes for each individual robot.
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot system includes: a robot; a portable operation terminal having a teaching function; and a robot controller having operation modes including a teaching mode and another operation mode different from the teaching mode, the teaching mode being an operation mode for teaching a motion to the robot through the portable operation terminal. The robot controller is configured to: detect electrical connection and electrical disconnection between the robot controller and the portable operation terminal; change an operation mode in which to operate the robot to the teaching mode when detecting the connection between the robot controller and the portable operation terminal; and change the operation mode in which to operate the robot to the other operation mode different from the teaching mode when detecting the disconnection between the robot controller and the portable operation terminal.