Collaborative Work Cell Control for Automated Tool Change Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collaborative work cells with automatic operating devices, such as robots, require substantial operator effort for programming and command input, especially during operations involving tool changes or multiple steps, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a control unit in a collaborative work cell to automate the execution of operations by an automatic operating device, allowing for flexible use, simplified operator interaction, and enhanced safety through a user interface and tool management system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the automatic operating device is programmed manually by the operator, then the device can execute complex operations, but the operator workload and programming time increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidoperation execution time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic operating device performs self-programming by autonomously moving to teaching positions, executing teaching movements, and storing operation data without manual intervention. The device records its own motion data and automatically generates control programs, eliminating the need for operator programming while maintaining full operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-defines multiple teaching positions and stores operation data in advance. The automatic operating device is pre-programmed with the sequence of teaching positions to visit and the operations to perform at each position, enabling automated execution without real-time operator input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the operator provides detailed commands for each operation step, then the operation can be completed accurately, but the command input time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation accuracyVSAvoidcommand input time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic operating device autonomously records its own motion data and operation parameters during teaching movements. The device self-monitors position, speed, and tool state, automatically storing this data for precise reproduction during execution without requiring operator measurement or parameter input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors and detectors that continuously monitor the automatic operating device's position and state. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate execution of stored operation data and enables automatic adjustment to maintain manufacturing precision without operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the automatic operating device performs tool changeovers or multiple operations, then the operational capability increases, but the programming complexity and operator commitment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational capabilityVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation program is divided into discrete teaching positions, each representing a specific operation step or tool change point. The automatic operating device moves between these segmented positions and executes specific operations at each, making complex multi-step operations manageable through modular positioning rather than continuous complex programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic operating device is designed to perform multiple functions including welding, assembly, sanding, cleaning, and tool changeovers using the same automated teaching and execution mechanism. The system universally handles different operation types through the same self-teaching process, eliminating the need for separate programming approaches for each operation type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If the operator manually programs the automatic operating device, then the device can be calibrated and set, but the calibration and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic operating device performs self-calibration by autonomously moving to calibration positions, executing calibration movements, and storing the resulting data. The device automatically adjusts its own parameters based on detected reference points without requiring operator measurement or manual calibration input, maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing calibration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250138510A1Method of managing a collaborative work cell

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 IDEA PROTOTIPI

AI summary

Method carried out by a control unit of a collaborative work cell of managing the collaborative work cell comprising at least one work plane, a tool store, a user interface connected to the control unit, and an automatic operating device connected to the control unit, wherein the method comprises the following steps: receiving a first input comprising an indication on a type of operation to execute, wherein the first input is entered by an operator on the user interface; controlling the automatic operating device to execute an operation on the basis of the indication on the type of operation to execute comprised in the first input.