Working Robot Motor Power Configuration for Operator Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional person-coexisting type working robots face challenges in designing a safe and efficient working environment that minimizes the impact on operators, limiting their application to only specific work operations.

Innovation Solution

A working robot with a configuration that includes a base part, lifting link mechanism, and arm part, driven by motors with rated powers set to reduce operator impact, allowing for precise positioning and posture adjustment, and equipped with an air balancer to reduce motor load, enabling effective joint work with operators while maintaining safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a working robot is designed to perform joint work with operators without a safe guard fence, then the robot can assist in work operations more efficiently, but the impact on operators increases and safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidimpact on operator
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by setting the rated power of drive shafts to specific values (100W or less for first and second drive shafts, 50W or less for third and fourth drive shafts) to reduce the impact force on operators while maintaining sufficient work capability. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between work efficiency and operator safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by installing air balancers on the arm part to counterbalance gravitational effects and reduce the load on drive shafts. This pre-cushioning measure reduces the required motor power and consequently the impact force on operators, while maintaining the robot's ability to perform work operations efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the rated power of drive shafts is reduced to minimize operator impact, then safety is improved, but the robot's capability to perform various work operations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact on operatorVSAvoidwork operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes parameter distribution across different drive shafts rather than uniformly reducing all powers. The first and second drive shafts are set to 100W or less, while the third and fourth drive shafts are set to 50W or less, creating a differentiated power configuration that maintains versatility for various work operations while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses air balancers as counterweight mechanisms to compensate for the weight of the arm part and workpiece. This reduces the effective load on the drive shafts, allowing lower powered motors to maintain positioning and movement capabilities across diverse work operations, thereby preserving adaptability despite reduced power ratings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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

The solution allows for a significant reduction in operator impact, enabling the working robot to perform a variety of tasks efficiently and safely, improving drive performance and reducing the risk of injury during interactions.

Implementation Method 1

an air balancer 18 that counterbalances a weight of the arm part 13

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir cushioning: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2567794B1Working robot and processing plant
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP2567794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2567794B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A working robot (10) according to an embodiment includes an arm part (13) and a plurality of motors (21 to 24). The arm part (13) includes a plurality of arm members (14 to 17). The plurality of motors (21 to 24) respectively drives the plurality of arm member (14 to 17). Herein, rated powers respectively corresponding to the motors (21 to 24) are the same.