Single Teaching Console for Multi-Robot Network Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot systems require multiple teaching consoles for each robot, leading to low work efficiency and increased costs, as operators must switch between consoles to teach multiple robots and can only operate one console at a time.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with interconnected controllers and a single teaching console that automatically determines communication destinations, allowing the console to teach multiple robots by switching between operating, teaching, and maintenance phases, and notifying the console of state changes, enabling efficient communication and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple teaching consoles are used for each robot controller, then each robot can be taught independently, but the system cost increases and work efficiency decreases due to operators switching between consoles
Solution Approach 1:
The teaching console is designed to serve multiple robot controllers through network connectivity. The console can selectively connect to different robot controllers via the network, allowing a single console to teach multiple robots without requiring dedicated consoles for each robot controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary between the teaching console and multiple robot controllers. The communicating part of each robot controller manages network communication selectively, enabling the teaching console to access different robot controllers through the network without direct physical connections.
2Quantity of substance
If a single teaching console is connected to multiple robot controllers through a network, then system cost is reduced, but the operator must manually select and log in to each robot controller, decreasing work efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The robot controllers automatically detect their own phase (automatic operation, teaching, or maintenance) and autonomously initiate connection requests to the teaching console when needed. The phase judging part monitors the robot's state and triggers automatic connection without operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the phase judging part continuously monitors robot state and the notifying part automatically communicates connection requests to the teaching console based on detected phase changes, eliminating manual selection and login steps.
3Reliability
If the teaching console manually selects and connects to each robot controller, then communication can be established, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The robot controllers continuously monitor their operational phase and prepare connection requests in advance. When the teaching phase is detected, the connect request is automatically sent to the teaching console before actual teaching operations begin, eliminating connection setup time during teaching.
Solution Approach 2:
The communicating part of each robot controller automatically manages connection establishment based on phase detection, performing the connection setup autonomously without requiring operator intervention, thus accelerating the teaching process while maintaining reliable communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system enabling a single teaching console to be used to easily teach a plurality of robots. The robot system includes a plurality of robot controllers connected through a network and a single teaching console. The teaching console is configured to be able to selectively communicate with any one of the robot controllers. The robot controller is configured so as to send a connect request to the teaching console when it is judged that the state of the robot has been switched to the teaching phase or maintenance phase. The teaching console is configured to respond to a connect request from the robot controller and switch destinations to enable communication with the robot controller.