Wireless Manual Guide Device for Robot Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual guide devices for industrial robots are cumbersome, costly, and complex to install and transfer between robots, making the programming process inefficient and laborious.
Innovation Solution
A portable, wireless manual guide device with a miniaturized microprocessor control system and a joystick with six degrees of freedom, equipped with Bluetooth communication for easy interfacing with a teach pendant, allowing for intuitive movement control of the robot's Tool Center Point without the need for complex cable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual guide device is mounted directly on the movable structure of the robot, then the programming activity becomes more intuitive, but the device becomes cumbersome, costly, and complex to install and transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The manual guide function is segmented from the robot's main structure. Instead of integrating sensors and control systems directly into the robot, the invention uses a portable external device (smartphone or tablet) that communicates wirelessly with the robot controller, separating the guidance interface from the robot hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication intermediary (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection) is introduced between the portable device and the robot controller. This intermediary eliminates the need for physical cable connections and force/torque sensors, simplifying both installation and transfer while maintaining full manual guidance functionality.
2Measurement precision
If force/torque sensors are used for manual guidance, then precise control is achieved, but the device becomes costly and complex to interface with the control system
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical force/torque sensor system is replaced with an electronic/software-based solution. The portable device uses software algorithms to interpret touch inputs and convert them into robot movement commands, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors and their associated wiring and calibration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device leverages its own built-in sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, touch screens) and processing capabilities to provide manual guidance functionality. The device serves itself by using its inherent hardware and software resources rather than requiring external sensor systems.
3Reliability
If wired connections are used for manual guidance devices, then reliable communication is achieved, but the devices are cumbersome and difficult to transfer between robots
Solution Approach 1:
Physical wired connections are replaced with wireless communication technologies (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). This substitution maintains reliable communication through established wireless protocols while completely eliminating cables, making the guidance device portable and easily transferable between different robots without physical reconnection.
4Measurement precision
If the operator moves around the robot to verify TCP positions, then accurate verification is achieved, but the programming process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device acts as an intermediary that brings the verification capability directly to the operator's hand. The device displays real-time TCP position information and allows control without the operator needing to physically move around the robot, maintaining verification accuracy while significantly reducing programming time.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system having a manual guide device connected to the robot in wireless data communication with a portable terminal for use in programming the robot.