1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable operation panel which is used in association with a controller of a machine such as a robot.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a machine such as a robot is taught or operated, a portable operation panel may be used in association with a robot controller of the robot. For example, JP 2006-341356 A discloses a portable operation panel connected to a robot controller via a cable.
For example, an operator teaches a robot, the operator may operate the portable operation panel while watching the robot, i.e., without watching an indicator such as a display of the portable operation panel. Further, when the portable operation panel is used in loud environments, it is difficult to aurally provide the operator information from the portable operation panel. Therefore, in an environment in which the portable operation panel is used, it is often difficult to visually or aurally provide the operator information from the portable operation panel.
One effective measure for solving the above problem is to provide the portable operation panel with a vibration motor so that information is tactually provided to the operator by vibrating the panel. However, from a structural point of view, the life of the vibration motor adapted to be provided to the portable operation panel is short relative to a life required for another device provided to an industrial robot or a machine. Therefore, in the prior art, the vibration motor can no longer be used during use of the portable operation panel, whereby the operation of the portable operation panel is interrupted and work efficiency is reduced.
Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a portable operation panel having a vibration motor capable of tactually providing an operator information, wherein a problem due to failure of the vibration motor is solved.
The present invention provides a portable operation panel connected to a controller for controlling a machine so that the portable operation panel is used to operate the machine, the portable operation panel comprising: a plurality of vibration motors which generate vibration for providing predetermined information to an operator; and a switching part which switches a motor to be used from a first vibration motor of the plurality of vibration motors to a second vibration motor of the plurality of vibration motors.
In a preferred embodiment, the portable operation panel comprises an inputting part to which the operator can input information, wherein the switching part switches the motor to be used from the first vibration motor to the second vibration motor based on the information which is input to the inputting part.
In a preferred embodiment, the portable operation panel comprises a sensor which detects a malfunction of the vibration motor, non-vibration of the portable operation panel or weakening of the vibration of the portable operation panel, wherein the switching part automatically switches the motor to be used from the first vibration motor to the second vibration motor when the sensor detects the malfunction of the vibration motor, the non-vibration of the portable operation panel or the weakening of the vibration of the portable operation panel.
In a preferred embodiment, the portable operation panel comprises a time measuring part which measures an accumulated operating time of the vibration motor, wherein the switching part automatically switches the motor to be used from the first vibration motor to the second vibration motor when the accumulated operating time of the vibration motor during use reaches a predetermined time limit of use.
In a preferred embodiment, the portable operation panel comprises a connector arranged on a control board incorporated into the portable operation panel, wherein at least one of the plurality of vibration motors is detachably connected to the connector.
When the portable operation panel comprises the inputting part, the portable operation panel may further comprise a displaying part which displays the information which is input to the inputting part.
When the portable operation panel comprises the sensor, the portable operation panel may further comprise a displaying part which displays a detection result of the sensor or information obtained by the detection result.
When the portable operation panel comprises the time measuring part, the portable operation panel may further comprise a displaying part which displays the accumulated operating time of each vibration motor measured by the time measuring part.
When the portable operation panel comprises the inputting part, the portable operation panel may further comprise: a sensor which detects a malfunction of the vibration motor, non-vibration of the portable operation panel or weakening of the vibration of the portable operation panel; and a displaying part which displays a detection result of the sensor or information obtained by the detection result.
When the portable operation panel comprises the inputting part, the portable operation panel may further comprise: a time measuring part which measures an accumulated operating time of the vibration motor; and a displaying part which displays the accumulated operating time of each vibration motor measured by the time measuring part.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent by the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Operation panel 10 has a controlling part 18 which controls general behaviors of operation panel 10; a plurality of (two in the illustrated embodiment) vibration motors 20 and 22; and an inputting part 24, such as a keyboard or touch panel, to which the operator can input information. Controlling part 18 may control the behaviors of operation panel 10 based on the information which is input into inputting part 24. When vibration motors 20 and 22 are operated based on a command from controlling part 18, operation panel 10 at least partially vibrates due to the motion of the vibration motor, whereby the operator tactually feels the vibration. Controlling part 18 may change a manner of the vibration of vibration motors 20 and 22 (for example, the controlling part may determine or change the vibrational intensity; whether the vibration is continuous or intermittent; and a vibration period of time when the motor is intermittently operated). The operator can tactually recognize various information from the vibration, by previously associating the manner of the vibration with a content of information such as an alarm for alerting the operator (for example, a malfunction of the robot, and an access of a person to a forbidden area, etc.).
The major feature of the present invention is to use a plurality of vibration motors and a switching part which switches a vibration motor to be used from a vibration motor in use to another vibration motor. In the first embodiment, controlling part 18 corresponds to the switching part, for example, when the operator inputs information into inputting part 24 for switching the vibration motor while first vibration motor 20 is in use, controlling part 18 switches a vibration motor to be used from first vibration motor 20 to second vibration motor 22. Otherwise, the operator may input information relating to a status of each vibration motor (for example, a malfunction or good), and in this case, controlling part 18 can select or switch the vibration motor to be used based on the status of each vibration motor. By virtue of such a configuration, even when a malfunction or abnormality occurs in the vibration motor in use, a vibration motor to be used can be rapidly changed to another vibration motor. Therefore, the vibrational function of operation panel 10 can be continuously used for a long time, in spite of the fact that the vibration motor has a relatively short life.
As shown in
Otherwise, also when sensor 26 detects non-vibration of operation panel 10a or weakening of the vibration of operation panel 10a during controlling part 18 outputs a signal or command for driving or vibrating first vibration motor 20, controlling part 18 judges that abnormality occurs in first vibration motor 20, and then automatically switches a vibration motor to be used from first vibration motor 20 to second vibration motor 22. By virtue of such a configuration, when the malfunction or abnormality occurs in the vibration motor in use, a vibration motor to be used can be quickly switched to another vibration motor.
As shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
In the embodiment of
Alternatively, as shown in
In the embodiment of
Although the preferred embodiments are described above, the present invention is not limited as such. For example, three or more vibration motors may be provided to the portable operation panel. Two or all of the inputting part, the sensor and the time measuring part may be provided to the operation panel, and a priority order may be predetermined regarding the switching of the vibration motor. Further, a plurality of vibration motors may be connected to one connector, and/or only one connector may be provided to the operation panel. The operation panel may be provided with both the connector and the displaying part. In addition, although the switching of the vibration motor may be carried out by the controlling part of the operation panel as described above, another switching means may be arranged separately.
According to the present invention, the loss of the vibration function of the portable operation panel in use can be prevented, unless all of the plurality of vibration motors provided to the operation panel simultaneously get out of order.
According to the present invention, since the plurality of vibration motors can be properly switched from one to the other, the vibrational function of the portable operation panel can be continuously used for many hours, whereby work efficiency thereof is improved.
The switching operation of the vibration motor can be carried out by using, for example, the inputting part to which the operator can input information, the sensor for detecting abnormality, etc., of the vibration motor, or the time measuring part for measuring the accumulated operating time of the vibration motor. In any of the cases, a special device is not necessary. Further, when the sensor or the time measuring part is used, the switching of the vibration motor can be carried out automatically.
By providing the connector to the control board of the portable operation panel so that at least one of the vibration motor is detachably connected to the operation panel, the vibration motor having a malfunction can be rapidly replaced with a new vibration motor.
By providing the displaying part to the portable operation panel, the operator easily recognize information, e.g., whether each vibration motor is usable or unusable, or a remnant life of each vibration motor, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustration, it should be apparent that numerous modifications could be made thereto, by one skilled in the art, without departing from the basic concept and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2013-134724 | Jun 2013 | JP | national |
2014-116136 | Jun 2014 | JP | national |