Industrial Robot Safety Visualization for Geometric Range Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of industrial robots face difficulties in gaining an overview of active safety functions and their applicable geometric ranges, leading to a lack of awareness regarding the safety functions present in the robots.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for visualizing safety functions by defining geometric ranges and visibly illustrating them, along with applicable safety functions and boundary values, to enhance operator awareness. This involves creating geometric range images with distinct visual characteristics, such as colors and symbols, to intuitively convey the limits and status of safety functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety functions are defined for industrial robots, then robot safety is improved, but operator awareness of safety functions and their geometric ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by displaying geometric ranges using different colors to represent different safety functions and their statuses. The visualization system uses color-coded representations to indicate various safety conditions, making it intuitive for operators to understand the current safety state and applicable geometric ranges at a glance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms abstract safety function definitions into a visual spatial representation by displaying geometric ranges in a graphical user interface. This dimensionality change converts numerical and textual safety parameters into visual geometric shapes and zones that operators can perceive and understand more easily.
2Reliability
If multiple safety functions are defined with different geometric ranges, then robot safety coverage is improved, but operator understanding of operational limitations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the robot's work space into distinct geometric ranges, each associated with specific safety functions. By dividing the overall workspace into multiple visualized zones with different characteristics, the system enables operators to understand and manage multiple safety functions individually while maintaining an overview of the complete operational space.
Solution Approach 2:
The visualization system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays geometric ranges, indicates active safety functions, shows boundary values, and provides operational guidance. This multi-functional approach consolidates various safety information into a single comprehensive interface, improving operator understanding without requiring multiple separate displays or controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for visualizing safety functions (50) of an industrial robot (100) comprises the steps of: defining at least one geometric range (60, 160, 320), defining for each of the at least one geometric range (60, 160, 320) at least one safety function (50) applicable within the geometric range (60, 160, 320), and visibly illustrating each of the at least one geometric range (60, 160, 320) to thereby provide at least one geometric range image (30, 130, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280). By visibly illustrating geometric ranges (60, 160, 320) within which (or outside of which) safety functions (50) are applicable, an operator's awareness of the safety functions (50) present in an industrial robot (100) is effectively increased.