CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20090281659A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Andersson, Hans, Wäppling, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/520,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20090281659A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1674 characterised by safety, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40213 Record history, log of instructions sent from task planner to path planner
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

A control system for an industrial robot. The control system includes a memory unit configured to store at least one task program intended for controlling movements of the robot and including movement instructions for controlling the movements of the robot. A program executer is configured to generate instructions based on movement instructions included in the task program and data necessary to be able to carry out the instructions. A path planner is configured to receive the instructions from the program executer and based thereon to plan how the movements of the robot are to be designed to enable the robot to carry out the movement instructions. The control system includes a recording device, with at least one memory unit connected thereto, arranged for the purpose of recording and storing the instructions and the data sent to the path planner from the program executer.

Claims

1. A control system for an industrial robot, the control system comprising:

a memory unit configured to store at least one task program intended for controlling movements of the robot and including movement instructions for controlling the movements of the robot,

a program executer configured to generate instructions based on movement instructions included in the task program and data necessary to be able to carry out said instructions,

a path planner configured to receive said instructions from the program executer and based thereon to plan how the movements of the robot are to be designed to enable it to carry out said movement instructions, and

a recording device, comprising at least one memory unit connected thereto, arranged to record and store the instructions and said data sent to the path planner from the program executer.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is configured to record time indications showing an actual instant in time when the instructions and said data have been sent from the program executer to the path planner.

3. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to transfer the recorded instructions and said data from the memory arranged in the recording device to an external data-processing unit.

4. The control system according to claim 3, wherein the control system is configured to transfer the recorded instructions and said data from the memory arranged in the recording device to the external data-processing unit in real time.

5. The control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second recording device arranged for the purpose of recording and storing control signals sent from the control system to the motors of the robot.

6. A method for monitoring an industrial robot comprising a memory unit configured to store at least one task program intended for controlling movements of the robot and including movement instructions for controlling the movements of the robot, a program executer configured to generate instructions based on movement instructions included in the task program and data necessary to be able to carry out said instructions, to a path planner configured to receive said instructions from the program executer and based thereon to plan how the movements of the robot are to be designed to enable the robot to carry out said movement instructions, the method comprising:

recording and storing the instructions and said data sent from the program executer before the instructions and said data are received by the path planner.

7. The method for monitoring an industrial robot according to claim 6, further comprising:

recording and storing an actual instant in time when the instructions and said data are sent from the program executer to the path planner.

8. The method for monitoring an industrial robot according to claim 6, further comprising:

transferring the recorded and stored instructions and said data to an external data-processing unit.

9. The method for monitoring an industrial robot according to claim 8, further comprising:

transferring the recorded and stored instructions and said data to the external data-processing unit in real time.

10. The method for monitoring an industrial robot according to claim 6, further comprising:

recording and storing the control signals sent from the control system to the motors of the robot.