Robotic Workspace Restart Using Safety Scanner Exit Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robotic systems face safety challenges during start and restart phases due to the proximity of human operators, with existing safety measures like physical barriers and light curtains being inadequate and costly, especially in environments with limited or unreliable communication.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system that uses safety scanner fields to detect human presence and movement within a safeguarded space, allowing a reset button to be placed inside the space while ensuring safety standards are met, and resumes operation only when the space is determined to be clear of humans, using sensor data from multiple detection fields to monitor and verify human exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical barriers and light curtains are used to safeguard robotic workspace, then safety of human operators is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical barriers (mechanical safety systems) with sensor-based detection fields (optical/electromagnetic systems). The safeguarded space is defined by scanner fields rather than physical walls, eliminating the need for complex mechanical safety infrastructure while maintaining safety through automated detection and response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor systems and scanner fields as intermediaries between the robotic system and human operators. These intermediaries detect human presence and mediate the safety function, allowing the robot to automatically adjust its operation based on detected presence without requiring direct human-robot coordination or complex physical safety infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If reset button is placed inside safeguarded space, then ease of operation is improved, but safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback through sensor systems that monitor the safeguarded space for human presence. When a human is detected near or inside the safeguarded space, the system provides feedback to the control unit, which automatically halts robot operation. This feedback mechanism allows the reset button to be placed inside the safeguarded space while maintaining safety through automated detection and response.
3Reliability
If traditional safety measures are used, then safety standards are met, but productivity decreases due to increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection and warning actions before the robot reaches a state requiring emergency stop. The sensor system detects human presence in advance, allows for controlled halting of operations, and provides opportunity for safe reset procedures. This preliminary action prevents the need for abrupt emergency stops and lengthy safety protocols, reducing downtime while maintaining safety standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic system, method, and device for controlling operation of a robot is disclosed. The robotic system includes (i) a robot configured to move one or more items within a workspace, (ii) a sensor configured to collect sensor data with respect to the workspace, and (iii) one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to (a) determine to reset operation of the robot, (b) determine, based at least in part on the sensor data, that a human worker exited a safeguarded space within the workspace, and (c) in response to determining that the human worker exited the safeguarded space, resume operation of the robot.