Portable Robot Panel Emergency Stop Detection Without Extra Wiring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot control systems face challenges in reducing circuit size and increasing costs due to the need for multiple emergency stop switches and extensive wiring, particularly when using portable operating panels that require confirmation signals to be transmitted back to the control device.
Innovation Solution
A robot control system that employs a smart device with an acceleration sensor on a portable operating panel, where the sensor detects physical movements of a switch member and transmits detection signals to the control device, allowing for identification of emergency stop switch operations without the need for additional confirmation signals via hard wires, and utilizing a shared reception circuit for all emergency stop switches connected in series.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple emergency stop switches are provided with separate reception circuits, then the reliability of emergency stop function is improved, but the circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple emergency stop switches (stationary operating panel, portable operating panel, and external emergency stop switch) share a single reception circuit by connecting their contact points in cascade (series), thereby reducing circuit size while maintaining the required reliability through the duplicated emergency stop input architecture
2Reliability
If a confirmation signal is transmitted via hard wire from portable operating panel to control device, then the reliability of signal transmission is improved, but the wiring cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wired confirmation signal transmission with wireless serial communication between the portable operating panel and control device, eliminating the need for additional confirmation signal wires while maintaining reliable signal transmission
3Ease of operation
If the portable operating panel uses a smart device without special input terminals, then the ease of operation and cost are improved, but the ability to detect switch member operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where a physical switch member is attached to the exterior of the smart device, and its operation is detected by an acceleration sensor that measures physical quantities (acceleration changes) caused by the switch member's movement, thereby enabling detection without special input terminals
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient and accurate identification of emergency stop switch operations, reduces circuit size, and minimizes wiring costs by using serial communication for signal transmission, while allowing for convenient operation of the portable panel without special input terminals.
Implementation Method 1
the portable operating panel includes a smart device having a sensor, the contact point included in the portable operating panel is opened and closed in conjunction with a physical movement of a switch member attached to the exterior of the smart device, the sensor can detect a physical quantity that changes in conjunction with the physical movement of the switch member
Data Source
AI summary
A robot control system includes a control device for controlling a robot and a portable operating panel connected to the control device. The portable operating panel and at least one other device include contact points connected in series. The control device includes a reception circuit that can detect the opening of at least one of the contact points. The portable operating panel includes a smart device having a sensor. The contact point included in the portable operating panel is opened and closed in conjunction with a physical movement of a switch member attached to an exterior of the smart device. The sensor can detect a physical quantity that changes in conjunction with the physical movement of the switch member. The portable operating panel transmits, to the control device, a detection signal indicating the physical quantity detected by the sensor or information about the physical quantity.