Robot Path Simulation for Obstacle-Aware Teaching Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current robot control systems are inefficient in teaching and programming due to the need for manual correction of robot paths to avoid obstacles, which reduces the efficiency of motion programming and increases operator workload.

Innovation Solution

A robot system with a controller that includes a path generation unit to simulate and generate a path from a current position to a target position based on environmental information, and a jump control unit to move the robot along this path, allowing for automatic obstacle avoidance and improved teaching efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual correction of robot paths is performed to avoid obstacles, then the robot can navigate around obstacles, but the efficiency of motion programming decreases and operator workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidefficiency of motion programming
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot controller automatically generates obstacle avoidance paths by simulating robot movement based on surrounding environmental information, eliminating the need for manual path correction by the operator. The system serves itself by autonomously computing safe trajectories that avoid obstacles while maintaining programming efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary simulation of robot movement before actual execution to pre-determine safe paths around obstacles. This advance planning allows the robot to automatically navigate obstacles without requiring real-time manual intervention, thereby improving programming efficiency and reducing operator workload

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automatic path generation based on environmental information is implemented, then programming efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot controller integrates multiple functions including environmental information processing, path simulation, obstacle detection, and automatic trajectory generation within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality allows the controller to handle diverse programming tasks efficiently without requiring separate specialized devices, thereby managing system complexity while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4242763A1Robot system, control method and memory device
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP4242763A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4242763A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4242763A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A robot system includes: a robot; a robot controller configured to control the robot based on sequential taught positions; and a teaching device communicative with the robot controller and configured to receive operations by an operator, wherein the robot controller includes: a path generation unit configured to generate, in response to determining that a target position is designated by the operator on the teaching device, a path from a current position of the robot to the target position by simulation of moving the robot based on surrounding environmental information of the robot; and a jump control unit configured to move the robot toward the target position along the generated path.