Robot Operation Terminal Safety Switch Using Finger Insertion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial robot operation terminals require continuous application of force to maintain the enable switch in an intermediate position, leading to user fatigue and reduced efficiency due to the need to stabilize finger posture.
Innovation Solution
An operation terminal with a safety switch that allows manual operation by inserting a finger into an insertion hole and using a detection unit to monitor the finger position, eliminating the need for continuous force application and maintaining a specific hand shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional enable switch with an operator is used, then safety during manual operation is improved, but the user experiences finger fatigue and reduced work efficiency due to the need to continuously apply force and maintain hand posture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical enable switch system with an optical detection system. A light source emits light through an insertion hole, and a light receiver detects the light. When a finger is inserted into the insertion hole, it blocks the light path, and this optical signal change is detected to control robot operation, eliminating the need for mechanical force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the finger insertion action and the robot control system. The light path serves as a mediator that translates the physical presence of the finger into an detectable signal, which then triggers the appropriate control response without requiring direct mechanical interaction.
2Reliability
If the operator must hold the enable switch in an intermediate position to maintain manual operation, then safety control is achieved, but the complexity of the switching mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the mechanical switching mechanism. Instead of using a complex multi-position switch, the system uses a simple insertion hole with optical detection. The detection unit only needs to sense whether light is blocked (finger present) or not blocked (finger absent), greatly simplifying the mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical position to optical transmission. By monitoring whether light can pass through the insertion hole, the system determines finger presence without requiring mechanical switches or complex position sensing, simplifying the overall device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces user fatigue and improves work efficiency by allowing manual operation without the need for continuous force application, while enhancing safety through reflex actions that disable the robot when unexpected situations arise.
Implementation Method 1
a detection unit (111) detecting a position of the inserted finger into the insertion hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An operation terminal (15H) for an industrial robot (11) is provided. The operation terminal (15H) is provided with grippers (43H) on both right and left ends thereof, which can be manually gripped by an operator. On one gripper (43H), an insertion part having an insertion hole (101) is formed, into which a finger (F2) of the hand of an operator who grips the grippers (43H) can be inserted. A senor unit (111) detects an inserted portion of the finger (F2). Both the insertion hole (part) (101) and the sensor unit (111) are installed in an enable switch (49H). When the inserted position detected by the sensor unit (111) is at the first inserted position (i.e., a predetermined position), the robot is allowed to operate, while when the finger is not inserted into the insertion hole 101 or the inserted position detected by the sensor unit (111) is not at the first inserted position, the robot operation is disallowed.