Portable Robot Teaching Interface for Seamless Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems lack an efficient and cost-effective method for seamlessly transitioning between teaching and playback modes, particularly in manufacturing processes, where the operator needs to easily switch between inputting commands and monitoring manufacturing information without complex hardware configurations.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that includes a portable information terminal with a touch-panel display, a cradle for holding the terminal, and a controller connected to both the robot and peripheral equipment, which automatically sets operation modes based on the terminal's holding state, allowing for intuitive teaching mode input and playback mode monitoring, thereby simplifying the system configuration and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robot system uses separate dedicated devices for teaching mode input and playback mode monitoring, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable information terminal is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a teaching mode input device and a playback mode monitoring display. The terminal can display operation screens for inputting teaching commands and switch to displaying manufacturing information during playback mode, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the display content of the portable information terminal based on the operation mode. When in teaching mode, the terminal displays operation screens; when in playback mode, it displays manufacturing information. This dynamic adaptation allows a single device to fulfill multiple roles without requiring separate static hardware for each function.
2Ease of operation
If the robot system automatically switches operation modes based on terminal holding state, then the ease of operation improves, but the requirement for detection circuitry increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects whether the portable information terminal is held by the operator through the holding state detector, and based on this detection, automatically switches between teaching mode and playback mode without requiring manual intervention from the operator. This self-service mechanism simplifies operation while the detection capability is integrated into the existing terminal-holding interaction.
3Reliability
If multiple dedicated devices are used for different operation modes, then the reliability of each function is high, but the loss of time for switching between devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of teaching mode input and playback mode monitoring into a single portable information terminal. By combining these functions that were previously handled by separate dedicated devices, the system eliminates the time required to physically switch between devices while maintaining the reliability of each function through software-based mode management and integrated display capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system includes a manufacturing system including a robot and peripheral equipment. There is a controller communicably connected to the robot, the peripheral equipment, and a portable information terminal. The controller includes a memory storing the operation program, operation mode setting circuitry to set an operation mode a teaching mode or a playback mode, operation controlling circuitry configured to control the operation of the robot in the teaching mode based on the operation command, and control the robot and the peripheral equipment in the playback mode in accordance with the operation program, and display controlling circuitry configured to control the portable information terminal in the teaching mode to display on a display an operation screen through which the operation command is inputted, and control the portable information terminal in the playback mode to display on the displaying part a screen different from the operation screen.