Robot Safety Parameter Control Under Parallel Monitoring Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling robots require manual and laborious adjustments of process parameters to avoid violations of multiple safety monitoring functions activated in parallel, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method that monitors robots through multiple safety monitoring functions activated in parallel, selects a subset of process parameters using a predetermined rule arrangement to avoid violations, and adjusts these parameters automatically to prevent safety monitoring function violations, allowing for automated and efficient control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple safety monitoring functions are activated in parallel, then safety coverage is improved, but manual adjustment of process parameters becomes more laborious and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety coverageVSAvoidmanual parameter adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically selects and adjusts process parameters based on the currently active safety monitoring function, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system monitors which safety function is active and autonomously configures parameters to comply with that function's requirements, making the system self-adjusting rather than requiring operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically changes process parameters (such as robot speed) based on which safety monitoring function is currently active. When a different safety function becomes active, the control device automatically adjusts the corresponding parameters to meet that function's compliance requirements, enabling automatic adaptation rather than manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple safety monitoring functions are activated in parallel, then safety monitoring capability is improved, but process parameter adjustment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprocess parameter adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors which safety monitoring function is active and uses this feedback to automatically adjust process parameters. The system creates a closed-loop control where the active safety function's requirements feed back into automatic parameter selection and adjustment, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination of multiple parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed to handle multiple safety monitoring functions through a single universal mechanism that automatically selects and adjusts the appropriate parameters for whichever safety function is currently active. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual adjustment procedures for each safety function into one automated system.

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

3Reliability

If manual adjustment of process parameters is used to avoid safety monitoring function violations, then parameter compliance can be achieved, but time consumption and error risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter complianceVSAvoidtime consumption for parameter adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device pre-configures multiple sets of process parameters, each optimized for compliance with different safety monitoring functions. When a safety function becomes active, the system immediately selects the pre-prepared parameter set that ensures compliance, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustment while maintaining parameter compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3347169B1Method and system for controlling a robot arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 KUKA DEUT GMBH
  • EP3347169B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A method according to the invention for controlling a robot arrangement having at least one robot (1) comprises the step of: monitoring the robot arrangement using multiple safety monitoring functions (ESM1, ESM2) activated in parallel; and the steps, particularly repeated multiple times during execution of an application (3) of the robot arrangement, of: – selecting (S10, S30, S50) a subset of process parameters (Fd, vd) from a prescribed set of process parameters on the basis of a prescribed rule arrangement having at least one selection rule (Rule1, Rule2); and – adjusting (S20, S40, S60) this selected subset of process parameters to avoid violation of at least one of the safety monitoring functions.