Robot Safety Handheld With Forearm Support and Multi-Finger Enabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety control devices for industrial robots are ergonomically disadvantageous, costly, and inflexible in accommodating different types of portable electronic apparatuses, particularly due to their weight distribution and the need for constant thumb effort to maintain the enabling switch, which poses risks during programming.
Innovation Solution
A portable safety control device with a gripping portion designed for natural hand positioning, featuring an enabling switch and emergency-stop switch on the outer face, allowing operation with multiple fingers, and a supporting portion that distributes weight across the forearm, accommodating various electronic apparatuses with adjustable constraints for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dedicated programming terminal with ergonomic case and touch screen is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standard portable electronic apparatus that can serve multiple functions: it acts as both a general-purpose computing device and a dedicated robot programming terminal. The apparatus runs specialized software that provides robot control functionality, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware designed solely for programming tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by using a standard portable electronic apparatus (such as a smartphone or tablet) that replicates the functionality of a dedicated programming terminal through software. Instead of manufacturing specialized hardware, the system copies the necessary programming interface and control functions onto a通用 platform.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard portable electronic apparatuses are used for robot control, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the safety requirements cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating safety-critical functions from general computing functions. The portable electronic apparatus handles general control and programming tasks, while safety functions (emergency stop, enabling device) are implemented as distinct, dedicated physical controls on the robot system, ensuring safety requirements are met independently of the standard apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies intermediary by introducing a safety interface or safety controller that mediates between the standard portable electronic apparatus and the robot system. This intermediary ensures that safety requirements are satisfied by translating or validating commands from the standard apparatus through safety protocols before executing robot control actions.
3Reliability
If the enabling switch is positioned requiring constant thumb effort, then the safety control is maintained, but the operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by positioning the enabling switch at a location that is naturally maintained by the operator's hand posture during normal operation. The switch is placed such that the hand position required for safe operation also naturally keeps the enabling device activated, eliminating the need for additional thumb effort while maintaining safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by designing the enabling switch mechanism to be automatically maintained in the active position by the natural hand posture during operation. The system serves itself by using the operator's normal gripping position to automatically keep the safety enable function active, without requiring continuous conscious effort to maintain the switch position.
4Device complexity
If a box-like body with lateral opening is used for PDA insertion, then the device structure is simplified, but the ergonomic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support portion adjustable rather than fixed. The support portion can be repositioned or reconfigured to accommodate different hand sizes, gripping styles, and operational requirements, allowing the device structure to adapt dynamically to various ergonomic needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific regions of the device for ergonomic performance while keeping the overall structure simple. The support portion and control element positions are locally adjusted to match natural hand contours and movement patterns, while the main body retains a simple box-like structure for manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable safety control device for an industrial machine (1) comprises: a control circuit (100) connectable in signal communication with the control unit of an industrial machine; at least one first control member (14) and one second control member (15), connected in signal communication with the control circuit (100), the control members (14, 15) being manually operable to cause transmission of respective safety information (B) to the control unit (4) of the industrial machine (1); an interface arrangement (101), for connecting in signal communication the control circuit (100) to a portable electronic apparatus (50). The safety control device (10) has a body (11) having a gripping portion (12), to which the first and second control members (14, 15) are associated and which is designed to be gripped by the hand of an operator, and a supporting portion (13) pre-arranged for supporting the portable electronic apparatus (50) in a removable way. The body (11) of the safety control device (10) is shaped in such a way that the back of the supporting portion (13) is designed to rest on the forearm of the operator when the gripping portion (12) is gripped by the corresponding hand of the operator. The first and second control members (14, 15) are both positioned at a first longitudinal face (12a) of the gripping portion (12), at least one of the control members (14) being positioned so as to be within the reach of the hand that grips the gripping portion (12). The supporting portion (13) has a substantially two-dimensional configuration and extends laterally from a second longitudinal face (12b) of the gripping portion (12) that is generally opposite to the aforesaid first longitudinal face (12a) in such a way that a front of the supporting portion (13) defines a resting surface (13a) for the back of the portable electronic apparatus (50). The supporting portion (13) has associated thereto one or more elements of constraint (17), for locally securing thereon the portable electronic apparatus (50).