Touchscreen Axis Mode Control for Lower-Cost Machine Panels

Solution Overview

Problem

The high manufacturing costs of control panels for industrial machines due to the need for dedicated setting switches for driving modes of axes.

Innovation Solution

A controller with an image display unit to show operation images for changing driving modes on a display screen, a determination unit to determine the driving mode based on user operations, and a control unit to control the axes according to the determined mode, eliminating the need for physical switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If dedicated setting switches are provided for each axis driving mode, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel display serves multiple functions: it displays machine information and serves as the setting switch for driving modes. By making the display panel multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated switches, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical setting switches with a touch panel interface. The touch panel detects user input through touch operations and transmits signals electronically, substituting the mechanical switch system with an electronic interface that is already present in the control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If dedicated setting switches are provided for each axis driving mode, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel display serves multiple functions: it displays machine information and serves as the setting switch for driving modes. By making the display panel multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated switches, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical setting switches with a touch panel interface. The touch panel detects user input through touch operations and transmits signals electronically, substituting the mechanical switch system with an electronic interface that is already present in the control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If dedicated setting switches are provided for each axis driving mode, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel display serves multiple functions: it displays machine information and serves as the setting switch for driving modes. By making the display panel multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated switches, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical setting switches with a touch panel interface. The touch panel detects user input through touch operations and transmits signals electronically, substituting the mechanical switch system with an electronic interface that is already present in the control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240272607A1Control device for industrial machine

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 FANUC LTD

AI summary

This control device includes: an image display unit that displays, on a display screen, an operation image for changing a driving mode of a driving axis; a determination unit that determines the driving mode on the basis of an operation on the operation image; and a control unit that controls the driving axis on the basis of the driving mode determined by the determination unit.