Robot Operating Range Setting with Inertial Distance Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot operating range setting methods do not adequately consider inertial running distance, leading to collisions with peripheral devices due to inaccurate setting of the operating range, which is time-consuming for operators to adjust and lacks consideration for varying operating speeds and load weights.

Innovation Solution

A robot operating range setting device that includes a setting means for each shaft and working tool, a storage means for inertial running distance, an arriving range calculation means, a display means, an interference confirmation means, and an adjustment means to calculate and adjust the operating range considering inertial running distance, preventing collisions with peripheral devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operating range is set smaller to account for inertial running distance, then collision prevention is improved, but the productivity of the robot is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidrobot working efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the arriving range by adding inertial running distance to the operating range before robot operation begins. This allows the robot to operate at maximum productivity within the calculated arriving range without risking collisions, as the safety margin has already been accounted for in the range calculation rather than restricting operation during execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the robot's operating speed and load weight to dynamically calculate the appropriate inertial running distance. This feedback mechanism allows the arriving range to be precisely adjusted based on actual operating conditions, ensuring both collision prevention and maximum productivity without unnecessary restrictions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the operating range is set larger to maximize robot utilization, then productivity is improved, but collision risk increases due to inertial running

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot working efficiencyVSAvoidcollision prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the arriving range in advance by adding the inertial running distance to the desired operating range. This preliminary action allows operators to set the maximum possible operating range without collision risk, as the inertial margin is already incorporated into the calculation rather than being added as a restrictive buffer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter from a fixed operating range to a dynamic arriving range that adjusts based on operating speed and load weight. This parameter change allows the operating range to expand or contract according to actual conditions, maximizing productivity when safe and ensuring collision prevention when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the operating range is manually adjusted to account for inertial running, then collision prevention is improved, but the time required for setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidoperating range setting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating the arriving range based on the robot's operating speed and load weight parameters. This eliminates the need for operators to manually estimate and adjust the operating range to account for inertial running, as the system does this calculation automatically, reducing setup time while ensuring accurate collision prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the robot's operational parameters (speed and load weight) to automatically determine the appropriate inertial running distance and calculate the arriving range. This automated feedback-based calculation replaces time-consuming manual adjustments with rapid computational determination, maintaining collision prevention while minimizing setup time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of time

If the operating range is set without considering inertial running distance, then setup time is reduced, but collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating range setting timeVSAvoidcollision prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating the arriving range that includes the inertial running distance based on operational parameters. This automated calculation integrates collision prevention considerations without requiring manual setup time, as the system independently determines the safe operating range based on its own operational characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the inertial running distance and arriving range before operation begins. This preliminary action ensures collision prevention is built into the operating range from the start without requiring time-consuming manual adjustments during setup, as the calculation is performed automatically in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2047955B1Robot operating range setting device
Publication Date: 2015.06.24 FANUC LTD
  • EP2047955B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2047955B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2047955B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A robot control unit (30) comprises: a setting means (40) for setting operating ranges of each shaft and a working tool of the robot (20); a storage means (33) for storing an inertial running distance of the robot decided by at least one of the operating speed of the robot and the weight of the working tool; and an arriving range calculation means (36) for calculating an arriving range to which the robot arrives according to the operating range, which has been set by the setting means, and the inertial running distance stored by the storage means. Due to the foregoing, while consideration is being given to the inertial running distance of a robot, the arriving range of the robot is made. Further, a display means (41) for displaying the arriving range may be provided. In the case where each shaft of the robot and the working tool deviate from the operating range, a stopping means (34) for stopping the robot may be provided.