Wireless Operation Terminal for Industrial Machine Image Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operation terminals for industrial machines are limited in their ability to communicate large-size information, such as image data, wirelessly, which restricts the operator's mobility and efficiency in operating and managing industrial machines.

Innovation Solution

A portable operation terminal that enables wireless communication with industrial machines, allowing the transmission and reception of large-size data, including image information, and includes features like an imager for capturing images, a display for image viewing, and an illuminator for illuminating dark areas, enabling the operator to move freely and efficiently manage machine operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired operation terminal is used to communicate with the industrial machine, then communication stability is improved, but the operator's movement range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidoperator's movement range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The operation terminal communicates with the industrial machine via wireless signals, eliminating the physical cable constraint that limited operator movement while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a wireless communication system is used to expand operator movement range, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to transmit large-size information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator's movement freedomVSAvoidtransmission of large-size information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the wireless communication system to support large-size information transmission. This includes utilizing wireless communication protocols and standards capable of handling high-bandwidth data such as image information, thereby maintaining both movement freedom and information transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If external image capture devices are used to acquire image information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage information qualityVSAvoidnumber of external devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the image capture function into the operation terminal itself. The terminal integrates an imaging device that can capture image information directly, eliminating the need for separate external image capture devices and simplifying the overall system while maintaining image acquisition capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The operation terminal is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating not only operation control functions but also image capture and wireless communication capabilities. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions that previously required separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10175675B2Machine tool system

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 MURATA MASCH LTD

AI summary

A machine tool system includes a portable operation terminal capable of operating an industrial machine by wireless communication and including a terminal body including an external connector that is able to receive image information about an image and a communicator that is able to transmit the image information received by the external connector.