Robot Safety Detection Zones Based on Posture and Collision Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional safety detecting devices stop robot operations unnecessarily when external objects are detected in areas where collisions are unlikely, leading to decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A safety detecting device that determines an optimum detection area based on robot posture and communication state, defining danger zones using reference planes and angles, and adjusts detection areas based on scheduled operations to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detection area is set to a large area to ensure safety, then safety is improved, but robot operation efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary stops
Solution Approach 1:
The detection area is divided into multiple zones with different safety levels: a first detection area (high-risk zone) where external objects cause immediate robot stopping, and a second detection area (low-risk zone) where external objects do not stop the robot. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high safety in critical areas while preserving operational efficiency in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The overall detection area is segmented into distinct regions based on collision risk. The controller identifies specific sub-areas within the detection zone and applies different response strategies to each segment, allowing selective robot stopping only when external objects are detected in high-risk segments.
2Productivity
If the detection area is set to a small area to maintain operation efficiency, then productivity is improved, but safety coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different detection sensitivity and response levels are applied to different local regions of the detection area. High-sensitivity zones cover critical movement paths where robot stopping is triggered, while low-sensitivity zones allow continuous operation, optimizing both safety coverage and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection area configuration is dynamic and adapts based on robot movement state. When the robot is stationary, a larger detection area is active; when moving, the detection area adjusts to focus on potential collision paths, maintaining adequate safety coverage while minimizing unnecessary stops.
3Reliability
If the robot stops operation whenever an external object is detected, then safety is improved, but task completion time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot stopping response is applied locally only when external objects are detected in the first detection area (high-risk zone), while detection in the second detection area (low-risk zone) does not trigger stopping. This selective response prevents unnecessary time loss while maintaining collision prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full stopping action for all external object detections, the system applies partial action (no stopping) for low-risk detections and full action (stopping) only for high-risk detections, optimizing the balance between safety and task completion time.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety detecting device includes a detector that detects an external object located in a detection area, and a controller that determines the detection area based on whether a communication with a robot that is moved in a specific movement area is made. The controller is configured to determine the detection area as a preset initial detection area in a non-communication state, in which no communication with the robot is made, and further determine the detection area based on any one of posture information of the robot, operation information of the robot, or a combination thereof, in a communication state, in which a communication with the robot is made.