Robot Assembly Sensor Switching for High-Speed Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot assemblies operating in human-robot collaboration environments face efficiency limitations due to the need for continuous collision protection, which slows down their operation and increases energy consumption, despite maintaining safety standards.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that defines a switch-off space within the robot's workspace where collision protection is not required, deactivating distance sensors within this space, and using a control unit to manage sensor activation and deactivation based on the robot's position and environment, allowing higher operating speeds while maintaining safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distance sensor units are continuously activated for collision protection in the entire workspace, then safety is ensured, but operating speed and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The workspace is segmented into a switch-off space (collision-free zone) and an active monitoring space. Distance sensor units are selectively deactivated in the switch-off space while remaining active in other areas, allowing the robot to operate at full speed in safe zones while maintaining collision protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different operational modes are applied to different spatial locations. In the switch-off space, collision protection is deactivated allowing high-speed operation, while outside this space, full collision monitoring is maintained. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between safety and speed.
2Reliability
If distance sensor units are continuously activated for collision protection, then safety is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Distance sensor units are activated and deactivated periodically based on the robot's position relative to the switch-off space. When the robot enters the switch-off space, sensors are deactivated to save energy; when exiting, they are reactivated. This periodic switching maintains safety while reducing overall energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the robot operates at high speed throughout the workspace, then productivity increases, but collision risk with humans and objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch-off space acts as an intermediary zone that is deliberately kept free of humans and objects. By defining and enforcing this collision-free zone, the system enables high-speed operation within it while maintaining safety through the physical exclusion of vulnerable elements from that space.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a robot assembly (10). A plurality of distance sensor units (26) for collision protection of the robot assembly (10) are arranged on a surface (38) of the robot assembly (10). In the method, a switch-off space (32) is provided which is stationary or defined according to a pose of the robot assembly (10) within a work space (20) of the robot assembly (10). Those distance sensor units (26) for collision protection which are located outside the switch-off space (32) are operated. Those distance sensor units (26) which are located inside the switch-off space (32) are kept inactive. The invention also relates to a robot assembly (10).