Industrial Robot Programming via Data Carrier Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing programming methods for industrial robots lack safety measures to prevent unintentional activation of automatic mode, which can lead to accidents during programming and operation.

Innovation Solution

A handheld programming device that requires a data carrier to be operatively coupled to the machine's interface to enable automatic mode, ensuring the machine remains in manual mode unless the carrier is present, and uses a personalized data carrier to authorize specific functions and log user actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine can be operated in automatic mode without restrictions, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of unintentional activation during programming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic mode operationVSAvoidsafety during programming
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A data carrier serves as an intermediary between the programming device and the machine's control system. The data carrier must be present in the machine to enable automatic mode, while simultaneously being readable by the programming device to authorize programming operations. This intermediary mechanism ensures that automatic mode cannot be activated unintentionally during programming, as the programming device verifies the data carrier's presence and contents before allowing programming functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If safety measures are implemented to prevent unintentional automatic mode activation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens due to additional data carrier requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during programmingVSAvoiddata carrier system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data carrier is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an authorization key for programming operations, enables automatic mode activation in the machine, and provides identification for the programming device. By consolidating these functions into a single data carrier, the system achieves enhanced safety without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same physical object fulfills multiple security and operational roles.

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

3Ease of operation

If the programming device can operate without authorization verification, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to lack of user action logging and authorization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming device usageVSAvoiduser action logging
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The programming device automatically performs authorization verification by reading the data carrier and logging user actions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-verifies the operator's authority through the data carrier contents and automatically records programming operations, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability through automated authorization and logging functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2151726B1Programmable machine, handheld programming device and method for programming a programmable machine
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 KUKA DEUT GMBH
  • EP2151726B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2151726B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2151726B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a programmable machine, in particular an industrial robot (1, R1, R2), a programming handheld device (PHG), and a method for programming a programmable machine (1, R1, R2). The machine (1, R1, R2) comprises at least one axis (A, B, A1-A6), a control computer (8, S1, S2) for controlling the axis (A, B, A1-A6), a first data carrier (13) associated with the machine (1, R1, R2), and a first interface (12) for reading the first data carrier (13). The machine (1, R1, R2) can be operated in manual mode, in which the machine (1, R1, R2) can be programmed and/or controlled by means of a programming handheld device (PHG), and in automatic mode, in which the control computer (8, S1, S2) automatically controls the axis (A, B, A1-A6). The machine (1, R1, R2) can only be operated in its automatic mode if the first data carrier (13) is operationally coupled with the first interface (12).