Robot safety system for connecting peripheral device to a robot controller

• US 5,749,058 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Inventors: Hashimoto, Yoshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US08/469,827
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 395/500, 395/84, 395/87, 395/95, 395/96, 395/97, 395/86, 395/99, 395/83, 395/80, 395/82, 395/93, 395/94, 395/912, 364/424.02, 364/424.01, 364/167.01, 364/468.01, 364/165, 364/174, 318/573, 318/568.12, 318/568.22, 318/568.2, 318/574, 318/563, 318/568.11, 318/568.16, 318/568.24, 901/1, 901/9, 901/2, 901/20, 901/29, 901/30, 901/49, 901/50, 901/10, 901/16
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1674 characterised by safety, monitoring, diagnostic

Abstract

A robot system allows an operator to connect a peripheral to a robot controller without entering the operation range of a movable robot assembly. The robot controller has a data communication interface therein which is connected through a connector cable to a relay that is mounted on a safety cage. The relay has a connector for connecting a data communication cable to which a transmitter/receiver is connected. A peripheral such as a programmable logic controller or a personal computer is connected to the transmitter/receiver through a data communication cable. When the data communication cable connected to the transmitter/receiver is connected to the relay, the robot controller is connected to a network. The robot controller can easily be connected to the peripheral by connecting the data communication cable to the relay.

Claims

1. A robot system comprising:

a movable robot assembly movable within an operation range;

a robot controller integrally connected to said movable robot assembly;

a peripheral device disposed outside of said operation range;

a data communication cable connected to said peripheral device for data communications with said robot controller;

a connector cable connected to said robot controller for data communications with said peripheral device; and

a relay disposed outside of said operation range and having a connector for interconnecting said data communication cable and said connector cable.

2. A robot system according to claim 1, further comprising a safety cage surrounding said operation range, said relay being mounted on an outer surface of said safety cage.

3. A robot system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter/receiver connected to said data communication cable for connection to said peripheral device or said robot controller.

4. A robot system according to claim 1, wherein said connector cable comprises a cable connected to said relay for said robot controller to effect data communications through Ethernet.

5. A robot system according to claim 1, wherein said connector cable comprises a cable connected to said relay for said robot controller to effect data communications according to RS-232C.

6. A robot system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral device comprises a personal computer.

7. A robot system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral device comprises a programmable logic controller.