Self-Movable Robot Data Sync for Immediate Job Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing production systems face inefficiencies due to the need for self-movable industrial devices to prepare for jobs at each location, leading to decreased production efficiency as they cannot start the job until preparation is completed.

Innovation Solution

A production system that includes a scheduling device, instruction device, information collecting device, simulation device, cell controller, robot controller, and self-movable robot, which allows the self-movable robot to prepare for the next job en route to its destination by downloading necessary data and switching to wired communication for stable synchronization upon arrival, enabling immediate job execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If self-movable industrial devices prepare for jobs at each location sequentially, then job execution accuracy is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates due to waiting time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejob execution accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system downloads job data and performs preparation activities while the self-movable robot is traveling to the next location, rather than waiting at each location. This preliminary action during transit eliminates idle waiting time while ensuring job data is ready for immediate execution upon arrival, thus improving production efficiency without sacrificing job execution accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robot continuously performs useful actions by downloading job data and preparing for upcoming tasks during movement between locations. This continuous utilization of transit time for preparation work eliminates periods of inactivity, maintaining continuous productive operation and improving overall production efficiency while ensuring readiness for accurate job execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Speed

If wireless communication is used during movement, then mobility is maintained, but data synchronization reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot mobilityVSAvoiddata synchronization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses wireless communication as an intermediary during movement to transfer job data from the server to the robot. This intermediary communication method enables data synchronization while the robot maintains its mobile capability, bridging the gap between mobility requirements and reliable data transfer without requiring physical connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3838506B1Production system, production method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP3838506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3838506B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3838506B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A production system (S) includes an industrial device (80) being self-movable. A preparation control unit (803) controls the industrial device (80) to prepare for a next job before the industrial device (80) arrives at a next location. A job control unit (804) controls the industrial device (80) to perform the next job when the industrial device (80) arrives at the next location and preparation for the next work is completed.