Switchgear Virtual Zone Safety for Unmanned Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current switchgear and controlgear with unmanned operation and maintenance lack effective means to ensure equipment safety due to open internal spaces and embedded robotic systems, as traditional enclosure protection methods are insufficient in these environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an equipment safety system that divides the internal space into virtual zones, with each action precalculated as a micro simulation using actual sensor data before execution, ensuring safe robotic interactions with energized circuits by defining and managing zone statuses and movement limitations based on voltage levels and insulation requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional enclosure protection methods are used, then personnel safety is ensured, but equipment safety cannot be ensured in unmanned switchgear with open internal spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space of the switchgear is divided into multiple virtual zones based on voltage levels and insulation requirements. Each zone has defined boundaries and specific safety characteristics, allowing the robotic system to understand and respect spatial safety constraints without requiring physical enclosures throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system precalculates action radii for the robotic system in each virtual zone before actual operations. By performing micro-simulations and safety calculations in advance, the system determines safe movement paths and operational parameters, preventing equipment faults before they occur rather than relying on reactive protection.
2Extent of automation
If the internal space is opened for robotic access, then unmanned operation is enabled, but equipment safety risks increase due to lack of physical barriers
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual zones act as an intermediary layer between the robotic system and energized circuits. Instead of direct physical interaction or traditional physical barriers, the patent introduces a computational model of spatial zones that mediates robotic movements, allowing automated operation while maintaining equipment safety through software-defined boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical enclosure barriers with a computational safety system. Instead of using physical walls and enclosures to protect equipment, the system uses virtual zone definitions, sensor data, and predictive calculations to prevent harmful interactions, substituting mechanical protection with intelligent control.
3Reliability
If virtual zones are defined and micro simulations are performed, then equipment safety is enhanced, but computational requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs micro-simulations and safety calculations selectively for each virtual zone and only when necessary for specific robotic actions. Rather than continuously simulating all possible scenarios, the system calculates action radii and safety parameters for the specific zone and action being performed, reducing unnecessary computational overhead while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A switchgear or controlgear with unmanned operation and maintenance includes: an equipment safety system that includes a steering and control system for calculating a action radius of a robot system. An acting area in an internal space of the switchgear or controlgear is divided into virtual zones. Each action in each virtual zone is precalculated predictively as a micro simulation in which actual sensor data are considered before an intended action is triggered.