Wearable Acceleration Monitoring for Robot Operation Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems lack effective mechanisms to ensure safe operation by restricting robot activity when an operator is in an abnormal state, such as experiencing excessive acceleration, which can indicate loss of balance or surprise, particularly in environments with multiple robots and operators.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device worn or carried by operators, equipped with accelerometers, transmits acceleration data to a robot controller, which performs operation restrictions if the acceleration exceeds a threshold, ensuring timely and appropriate safety measures, including stopping or reducing the robot's speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robot systems operate autonomously without continuous human monitoring, then productivity increases, but safety risks increase when operators experience abnormal states
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting operator abnormal states (such as falls or surprises) before they can cause harm, using acceleration sensors to monitor operator condition continuously and triggering pre-programmed safety responses including robot stoppage and emergency notifications
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring operator acceleration data and using this information to automatically adjust robot operation status, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism where sensor data directly influences system behavior without requiring human intervention
2Ease of operation
If emergency stop mechanisms are provided in remote controllers, then operator control is improved, but response time is delayed when operators are in abnormal states and cannot operate the controller
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by enabling the robot system to automatically detect operator emergencies and execute safety protocols without requiring operator action, using onboard acceleration sensors to autonomously determine when emergency intervention is needed and triggering appropriate responses
Solution Approach 2:
The acceleration sensor acts as an intermediary that detects operator physical states and translates them into automated system responses, bridging the gap between operator condition and robot control when the operator is unable to manually trigger emergency stops
3Productivity
If multiple robots and operators work in shared environments, then productivity increases, but safety monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the safety monitoring function from complex centralized control into individual wearable devices worn by each operator, allowing each operator to have their own independent acceleration sensor that directly communicates with nearby robots, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances safety by reliably restricting robot operations when operators are in potentially hazardous states, preventing accidents and improving operational efficiency by ensuring safe working conditions for both operators and robots.
Implementation Method 1
the wireless communication device has a sensor capable of detecting an acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system including a robot that is controlled by a robot controller and a wireless communication device that is worn or carried by a person present in the periphery of the robot. The wireless communication device has a sensor capable of detecting an acceleration, the wireless communication device is configured to transmit information related to the acceleration to the robot controller of the robot in a state in which the wireless communication device is not operated by the person, and the robot controller performs operation restriction of the robot when the acceleration exceeds a threshold.