Touch Panel Teaching Terminal for Robot Safety Stop Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine teaching systems lack a cost-effective and versatile method to ensure worker safety during machine operation, particularly in shared workspaces, without relying on dedicated teaching operation panels.
Innovation Solution
A machine teaching terminal connected to a machine via a communication network, utilizing a touch panel to detect input paths and transmit abnormality signals to immediately stop the machine if unsafe input conditions are detected, allowing safe teaching without additional devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general purpose mobile device is used as the teaching operation terminal, then cost is reduced and versatility is improved, but worker safety cannot be ensured without additional dedicated safety devices
Solution Approach 1:
The teaching operation terminal is designed to perform both teaching operations and safety monitoring functions using a single general purpose mobile device. The terminal includes a touch panel for teaching operations and an input detection part that monitors worker hand position to detect abnormal states, eliminating the need for separate dedicated safety devices while maintaining both versatility and safety reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the teaching operation interface and safety monitoring functionality into one integrated terminal device. The touch panel serves for teaching operations while the input detection part simultaneously monitors worker safety by detecting hand position abnormalities, merging previously separate functions into a unified system
2Reliability
If a dedicated teaching operation panel with dead man switch is used, then worker safety is ensured, but cost increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dead man switch system with an electronic input detection mechanism. Instead of requiring a physical switch that must be continuously held, the system uses a touch panel with input detection algorithms that monitor touch continuity and patterns, substituting mechanical components with electronic sensing and processing
3Reliability
If additional safety devices are added to ensure worker safety when using general purpose mobile devices, then worker safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The teaching operation terminal performs safety monitoring independently using its own input detection part. The terminal detects abnormal states by monitoring touch input patterns and hand position on the touch panel itself, without requiring external safety devices or additional monitoring equipment, making the system self-sufficient for safety functions
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a machine teaching terminal, a machine, a program, and a safety confirmation method capable of ensuring the safety of a worker without providing an additional device or the like. A machine teaching terminal communicably connected to a robot so as to be used for teaching the robot within a work area of the robot includes a touch panel display configured to accept input performed by a worker, an input detection part configured to detect input to the touch panel display, an abnormality detection part configured to detect an abnormal state on the basis of the detection by the input detection part, and an abnormal signal transmission part configured to transmit, in the case where the abnormality detection part detects the abnormal state, a signal indicating the abnormal state to the robot.