Touch Panel Robot Operation Apparatus Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of touch panels in robot operation systems replaces dedicated physical keys, leading to decreased safety due to the need for users to look at the display unit for each operation, compromising manual operation safety.
Innovation Solution
A robot operation apparatus with a touch panel, a touch operation detecting unit, and an action command generating unit that allows for intuitive operation of an articulated-type robot by detecting touch operations and generating action commands for horizontal, vertical, and rotation movements without requiring the user to directly look at the screen, using gestures and drag operations to determine movement amounts and axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated physical operating keys are replaced with touch switches on a touch panel, then the pendant size is reduced and cost is reduced, but the user must look at the display unit for each operation which decreases safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the touch panel interaction by implementing different operational modes (first mode and second mode) that switch based on timing. In the first mode, the touch panel responds to touch operations immediately. In the second mode, the touch panel ignores touch operations during a predetermined time period after a mode switching operation. This temporal differentiation allows the system to provide both intuitive touch operation and safety confirmation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the touch panel's responsiveness dynamic by changing its behavior based on the operational mode. The touch panel transitions from being fully responsive in the first mode to being unresponsive to certain operations in the second mode. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational contexts, providing both ease of operation and safety confirmation as needed.
2Ease of operation
If touch switches are used instead of physical keys, then the pendant size is reduced, but the user cannot locate the operation position by groping which decreases safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through the mode switching system. When the user performs a mode switching operation, the system provides visual feedback by displaying mode indication information on the touch panel, confirming the current operational state. This feedback allows users to understand which mode is active without needing to physically locate and feel for different key positions, maintaining safety while enabling touch operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual differentiation through color or display changes to indicate different operational modes. The mode indication information displayed on the touch panel provides clear visual cues about the current mode state, allowing users to intuitively understand the operational context without physical exploration of the interface.
3Productivity
If the touch panel responds to all touch operations, then operability is improved, but erroneous operations may occur reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the mode switching mechanism. During the predetermined time period in the second mode, the touch panel periodically ignores touch operations, creating a window where erroneous operations are prevented. This periodic unresponsiveness allows the system to maintain high productivity during normal operation while ensuring safety during critical transition periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively preventing touch operations during the predetermined time period in the second mode. Before any erroneous operation can occur during mode transitions, the system has already blocked the touch panel's responsiveness to certain operations. This preventive measure eliminates the possibility of erroneous operations during critical periods while maintaining full operability during stable operational modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot operation apparatus includes touch panel, touch operation detecting unit, action command generating unit, and selection operation detecting unit. The action command generating unit is capable of performing an operation determining process and an action command generating process. The operation determining process is a process for determining a drive axis or an action mode of a robot to be operated based on the selection operation detected by the selection operation detecting unit, and when a touch operation detected by the touch operation detecting unit is a drag operation, determining a movement amount of the drag operation. The action command generating process is a process for determining a movement amount of the robot based on the movement amount determined by in the operation determining process, and generating an action command for moving the robot at the drive axis or in the action mode to be operated by the movement amount.