Wireless Control Apparatus for Industrial Robot Communication Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robots face challenges in reliable wireless communication due to obstacles, noise, and non-line-of-sight environments, which affects the control of end effectors, leading to potential communication failures and increased costs from hard-wired solutions.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method that detects control signals and selects the best transmitter station among multiple fixed stations based on predicted communication quality, ensuring reliable data transmission by transmitting data multiple times to a movable station, utilizing millimeter wave communication and redundant communication techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireless communication is used to control end effectors, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to obstacles, noise, and non-line-of-sight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple fixed stations rather than relying on a single station. Each fixed station can independently communicate with the movable station, providing redundant communication paths that improve reliability while maintaining wireless simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares multiple fixed stations in advance to handle potential communication failures. When the current fixed station experiences poor communication quality due to obstacles or noise, the movable station can switch to a previously prepared alternative fixed station, cushioning against communication failures
2Quantity of substance
If millimeter wave communication is used to transmit uncompressed images, then bandwidth is sufficient, but communication reliability deteriorates due to shielding and reflections from obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The high-capacity millimeter wave communication is segmented across multiple fixed stations. Each station can transmit uncompressed image data at high bandwidth, and having multiple stations provides redundancy against shielding and reflection issues that affect individual transmission paths
Solution Approach 2:
The movable station monitors communication quality from multiple fixed stations and provides feedback to select the best transmitter. This feedback mechanism ensures that uncompressed image data is transmitted through the most reliable path, maintaining both high bandwidth and reliability
3Device complexity
If a single fixed station is used for wireless communication, then device complexity is minimized, but communication reliability deteriorates when the movable station moves to positions with poor line-of-sight
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects among multiple fixed stations based on the movable station's position and communication quality. As the movable station moves, the system adapts by switching to the most suitable fixed station, maintaining reliability without requiring a static single-station configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fixed stations are positioned in advance to cover different spatial zones. When the movable station moves to an area with poor line-of-sight from the current fixed station, a previously positioned alternative fixed station is already available to maintain communication reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus detects a control signal that controls a movable portion of a device, and selects, from a plurality of transmitter stations, a transmitter station that transmits data a plurality of times to a movable station moving in accordance with movement of the movable portion, based on the detected control signal.