Robot System Enable Link Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems face challenges with increased complexity and cost due to the need for a large number of input and output terminals and extensive wiring as the number of robots grows, which complicates the enabling device configuration and increases the risk of wiring errors, making it difficult to efficiently enable or disable robot operations while ensuring operator safety.
Innovation Solution
A robot system where multiple robot controllers are connected via a communication line, using a pendant with an enabling device to transmit signals for enabling or disabling drive power, with a robot group control unit that outputs enable link signals to manage operating modes, reducing the need for a separate robot-group operation enabling device and simplifying the system configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate robot-group operation enabling device is used to control multiple robots, then operator safety is ensured and robot operation control is achieved, but system complexity increases, wiring requirements increase, and device size grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the robot-group operation enabling device functionality into the existing pendants and robot controllers. Each pendant's enabling device is integrated with the robot controller it connects to, eliminating the need for a separate centralized enabling device. This consolidation maintains safety functionality while reducing system complexity and wiring requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pendants are given multi-functional capability by integrating the robot-group operation enabling device functionality into them. Each pendant not only controls its connected robot but also participates in the overall robot group operation control through the enabling device, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes.
2Productivity
If the number of robots in the system increases, then system capability and productivity improve, but the number of input and output terminals increases, wiring complexity increases, and the risk of wiring errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control functionality by distributing enabling device capabilities to individual pendants and robot controllers rather than using a centralized control point. This segmentation allows each unit to operate semi-independently while maintaining group coordination, reducing the complexity burden on any single component and simplifying wiring as systems scale.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pendant and robot controller is designed with universal enabling device functionality that allows it to operate both individually and as part of a group. This multi-functionality enables the system to scale from single-robot to multi-robot configurations without requiring different hardware architectures or increased wiring complexity.
3Reliability
If a robot-group operation enabling device is implemented to ensure safety, then operator protection is achieved, but installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enabling device functionality is merged into the existing pendants and robot controllers that are already present in the system. By integrating this safety functionality into components that must exist anyway for robot operation, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated safety devices that would occupy additional installation space and increase cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
A plurality of robots and pendants including enabling devices configured to enable or disable the working of the robots are provided. Robot controllers configured to control the driving of the robots are connected to one another via a communication line. An enable link signal according to the operating modes of the individual robots and the manipulation of one of the enabling devices is transmitted between the robot controllers, thereby performing on-off control of drive power to one of the robots corresponding to the corresponding one of the pendants.