Robot Protection Area Setting Using Stored Surrounding Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the protection area around a robot in response to changes in its surrounding environment is time-consuming, especially when relocating the robot on different production lines.
Innovation Solution
An area setting device that includes a setting unit to set a protection area based on pre-stored set values associated with surrounding information, using a storage to associate protection area set values with robot surrounding information, and a controller to adjust robot operations based on entry detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the protection area is adjusted manually for each relocation of the robot, then the protection area can be accurately set based on surrounding objects, but the time required to adjust the protection area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting surrounding objects (walls, shelves, etc.) and pre-calculating the protection area settings before the robot is relocated. The control device stores these pre-calculated settings, so when relocation occurs, the system can quickly retrieve and apply the appropriate protection area configuration without manual adjustment, thus reducing adjustment time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the surrounding environment by detecting objects and their positions. This environmental model is stored in the control device, allowing the system to replicate successful protection area configurations from previous locations. When the robot is relocated to a similar environment, the system can copy the corresponding protection area settings directly, eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments.
2Reliability
If the protection area is customized for each specific installation location, then the safety monitoring is optimized for that location, but the complexity of adjusting the protection area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting surrounding objects and autonomously determining the appropriate protection area settings without requiring manual intervention. The control device automatically processes sensor data, identifies objects like walls and shelves, calculates safe distances, and configures the protection area independently, thereby maintaining high safety reliability while eliminating adjustment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes parameters such as protection area boundaries, safe distances, and monitoring zones based on the detected surrounding environment. By automatically adjusting these parameters according to the specific installation location's characteristics (presence of walls, shelves, other robots), the system optimizes safety monitoring for each location without requiring complex manual configuration procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of protection area is performed for every robot relocation, then the protection area adapts to the new environment, but the productivity of production line changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and calculation of protection area settings at each location before the robot actually operates there. The control device stores these pre-determined configurations, enabling rapid deployment when the robot is relocated. This preliminary preparation maintains full adaptability to different environments while dramatically reducing the time required for production line changes, thereby preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and stores environmental models and corresponding protection area configurations for different locations. When the robot is relocated, the system copies the appropriate pre-established configuration from the stored models, ensuring the protection area is immediately adapted to the new environment without requiring time-consuming manual reconfiguration, thus maintaining both adaptability and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique shortens the time taken to adjust a protection area. An area setting device includes a setting unit that sets a protection area in at least a part of a surrounding environment of a robot to detect an entry of an object, an obtainer that obtains surrounding information about the robot, and a storage prestoring a set value for the protection area and the surrounding information associated with each other. The setting unit sets the protection area based on the set value read from the storage.