Robot System Dynamic Conveyor Speed Control for Task Completion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article supply systems face inefficiencies in ensuring tasks are completed on articles being transported, as they require stopping the transport device to perform tasks, which can lead to delays and reduced production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with a transport device divided into two conveyors, an article accumulating part, a robot, a control unit, an article-decelerating unit, and a production management unit that allows the robot to follow and complete tasks on articles without stopping the transport device, by blocking articles and reducing conveyor speed when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transport device stops to perform tasks on articles, then task completion reliability is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts conveyor speed based on real-time task progress. The article-decelerating unit reduces conveyor speed when tasks are running behind schedule, and the article accumulating part temporarily stores articles to maintain flow. This dynamic control allows continuous operation without complete stopping while ensuring task completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device is divided into multiple independent conveyor units (first conveyor, second conveyor) that can operate at different speeds. The article accumulating part is positioned between them to decouple their operations. This segmentation allows one conveyor to slow down or pause while others continue, maintaining overall production flow.
2Reliability
If the conveyor speed is reduced to complete tasks, then task completion reliability is improved, but article transport efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Conveyor speed is dynamically adjusted based on task progress monitoring. The article-decelerating unit slows down articles only in the working area when needed, while maintaining higher speeds in other sections. This localized dynamic speed control ensures task completion without globally reducing transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The article accumulating part pre-stores articles before they reach the working area, allowing the conveyor to slow down or pause during task execution without disrupting the overall article flow. This preliminary accumulation buffer decouples speed reduction from complete transport interruption.
3Manufacturing precision
If the transport device is stopped completely to perform tasks, then task accuracy is improved, but production delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic speed adjustment rather than complete stopping. The article-decelerating unit gradually reduces speed to maintain article stability during tasks, avoiding abrupt stops that cause delays. This dynamic approach preserves task accuracy while minimizing production interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device maintains continuous operation through the article accumulating part, which buffers articles during task execution. This allows the conveyor to keep moving and supply new articles while current tasks are completed, preventing production delays while ensuring task accuracy through controlled deceleration in the working area.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system includes: a transport device; an article accumulating part that can block the article without stopping the operation of the transport device; a robot performing a task on the article in a working area defined on a downstream side; a control unit; an article-decelerating unit that can reduce the speed of the article in the working area; a detecting unit detecting the traveling distance of the article; a sensing unit that detects the position of the article on an upstream side; and a management unit that causes the article to be blocked and causes the speed of the article to be reduced when the management unit determines that the task will not be completed within the working area. The control unit calculates the current position of the article based on the position and the traveling distance and causes the robot to follow the article to complete the task.