阅读说明：本技术 使用机器人系统的方法和用于容器处理设施的机器人系统 (Method for using a robot system and robot system for a container handling facility ) 是由 沃尔夫冈·哈恩 于 2019-07-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：使用机器人系统(1)在容器处理设施(2)的工作站处执行作业的方法,其中机器人系统(1)与支撑在容器处理设施的工作区域的地板上的底盘(3)一起移动,其特征在于：机器人系统(1)自动移除在供给区域(V)处的作业所需的工作材料和/或消耗性材料,例如清洁剂或润滑剂,并将其输送到工作站(A)进行作业。(Method for performing work at a workstation of a container handling facility (2) using a robot system (1), wherein the robot system (1) moves together with a chassis (3) supported on a floor of a work area of the container handling facility, characterized in that: the robot system (1) automatically removes work material and/or consumable material, such as detergent or lubricant, required for the work at the feeding area (V) and delivers it to the work station (a) for the work.)

1. A method of performing a work at a workstation of a container handling facility (2) using a robot system (1), wherein the robot system (1) moves with a chassis (3) supported on a floor in a work area of the container handling facility,

the method is characterized in that:

the robot system (1) automatically removes work material and/or consumable material, such as detergent or lubricant, required for the work at a supply area (V) and delivers it to the work station (a) for the work.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the robotic system (1) delivers the work material and/or consumable material to the workstation (a) in at least one accessory trailer (6).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the robotic system removes the work material and/or consumable material by automatically coupling with the at least one accessory trailer (6) having the required work material and/or consumable material at the feeding area (V).

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the robotic system (1) removes work material and/or consumable material required for the work from the at least one accessory trailer (6) at the workstation (a).

5. Method according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the robotic system (1) automatically couples the at least one accessory trailer (6) by actuating a coupling (8) by a robotic unit (5), in particular by a robotic arm (5 b).

6. Method according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the robot system (1) identifies the required working material and/or consumable material and/or the at least one accessory cart (6) by means of a digital identification element, in particular by means of a barcode or an RFID chip.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein for performing the work the robot system (1) is at least temporarily connected to a superior control center (10) via a data connection, in particular via a computer network.

8. A robot system (1) for a container handling installation (2), having:

a floor-supported chassis (3) for movement within a working area of the container handling facility (2),

the method is characterized in that:

the robot system (1) is designed to automatically remove work material and/or consumable material, such as a detergent or lubricant, required for a job at the feeding area (V) and to transport it to the workstation (a) for the job.

9. The robotic system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the robotic system (1) comprises at least one accessory trailer (6) for transporting the working and/or consumable material to the workstation (a).

10. The robotic system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the robotic system (1) comprises a coupling (8) for selectively connecting or releasing the at least one accessory trailer (6) with the chassis (3) supported on the floor.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for using a robot system and a robot system for a container handling installation, having the features of the preamble of claim 1 or 8, respectively.

Background

Robotic systems are commonly used in container handling facilities to perform many different kinds of work, such as maintenance and/or service work at container handling machines. For example, the operation may include cleaning or providing a lubricant to a conveyor belt of the container handling machine with a cleaning agent. To this end, the robotic system includes a chassis supported on the floor for movement within the work area of the container processing facility.

In WO 2009/146899 a1, a multidirectional movable vehicle is disclosed comprising a movable vehicle and a robot arm arranged thereon. For independent movement, the wheels are mounted on a vehicle controlled by an on-board control system.

A disadvantage of such a robotic system is that the working material and/or consumable material required for the job must be manually refilled by an operator.

US 5,959,423 discloses a system with a mobile working robot and an independent station designed to control the movement of the mobile working robot and to perform maintenance work thereon. For example, during maintenance work, parts are replaced and the consumable materials required for the work robot to move and work are refilled.

The disadvantage is that the arrangement of the individual stations is complicated and requires floor space in the working area of the container treatment plant.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of using a robotic system and a robotic system for a container handling facility that facilitates the handling of work material and/or consumable material required for a job.

To achieve this object, the invention provides a method of using a robot system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

For example, the work material and/or consumable material (such as a detergent or lubricant) required for the job at the supply area is automatically removed by the robotic system and delivered to the work station of the job, the removal is done automatically by the robotic system itself, and no operator or complex station is required. Thus, disposal of work material and/or consumable material required for the job is facilitated.

The container processing facility may comprise a plurality of container handling machines, the containers being transported by one or more transport devices from one of the plurality of container handling machines to a successive container handling machine. For example, a container handling machine may package beverages into containers. The container handling machine may comprise a container maker, a rinsing machine, an inspection device, a labelling machine, a filler for packaging beverages into containers, a packaging machine and/or a palletizer.

Liquid products, such as beverages, foods, pharmaceutical products, medical products, cleansers, sprays, and/or body care products may be received and/or packaged into a container. Preferably, the container may refer to a beverage container. The beverage may be mineral water, soft drink, fruit juice and/or beer. Food may refer to products such as beverages, vinegar, cooking oil, and the like. Preferably, it may refer to a container in which a liquid or pasty product is transported from a manufacturer to a consumer.

Liquid products may be packaged into each container, and subsequently, a closure may be applied. The container may be a plastic bottle, a glass bottle, a can, and/or a tube. The plastic bottle may in particular be a PET, PEN, HD-PE or PP bottle. They can likewise be biodegradable containers whose main constituents include renewable resources such as sugar cane, wheat or sweet corn.

The chassis supported on the floor may be supported on the floor with a plurality of wheels. It is conceivable that at least one wheel is driven and/or steered while moving. The electric motor may drive a chassis supported on the floor for movement. The chassis supported on the floor can be steered by means of a steering mechanism, which in particular comprises at least one steerable wheel. For example, the electric motor and/or steerable wheels may be controlled by a control unit of the robotic system. In other words, the robot system may be implemented by a control unit to control the chassis and/or the robot unit supported on the floor. Preferably, the control unit may navigate the robotic system in the container handling facility.

The robotic system may be powered by a rechargeable battery and/or an electrical interface.

The robot system is capable of moving at least one robot arm having at least one joint and/or one travel unit when performing work, in particular for moving a tool or a tool holding device. For example, the tool may be a nozzle that moves with the robotic system to apply a cleaning medium or lubricant. It is conceivable that the tool holding device receives different types of tools. Preferably, the robot arm or the travel unit, respectively, is capable of moving the tool in three dimensions in space. However, two-dimensional or one-dimensional motion is also conceivable.

It is also conceivable that the robotic system is of modular design and comprises a mobile platform having a chassis supported on a floor and having a plurality of robotic units of different types for performing different kinds of work in the container handling facility. However, it is also conceivable that the robot system comprises a moving platform on which the robot unit is permanently arranged, wherein the robot unit comprises in particular a robot arm and/or a travel unit.

During operation, the work material and/or consumable material may be applied on and/or transferred to a container handling machine of a container processing facility. For example, the cleaning agent or lubricant may be applied to the conveying means of the container handling machine. It is also conceivable that the joint or hinge is provided with a lubricant, or that the lubricant tank is filled. The working material and/or the consumable material can also be a roll with a label tape for a labelling machine.

The robotic system may transport work material and/or consumable material to the workstation in the at least one accessory trailer. Thus, the capacity of working material and/or consumable material is increased and can be configured more flexibly. For example, the robotic system may be flexibly combined with a variety of accessory trailers containing different work materials and/or consumable materials. It is envisioned that the at least one accessory trailer includes a plurality of accessory trailers in parallel or series combination with the robotic system simultaneously.

The robotic system may remove the work material and/or consumable material by automatically coupling with at least one accessory trailer having the desired work material and/or consumable material at the feeding area. Thus, the robotic system itself can control whether the attachment trailer(s) is carried for the job, and which attachment trailer is carried for the job. For example, the robotic system may remove at least one accessory trailer from a library (magazine) having a plurality of accessory trailers that each contain the same or different work materials and/or consumable materials.

The robotic system may remove work material and/or consumable material required for a job from the at least one accessory trailer at the workstation. Thus, the working material and/or the consumable material does not have to be removed directly from the supply of the robotic system. For example, the robotic system may remove working and/or consumable materials using a robotic arm or hose, etc., provided for this purpose. It is also conceivable to provide a transport system for transporting the work material and/or the consumable material to the robot system.

The robotic system may actuate the coupling via the robotic arm to automatically couple the at least one accessory trailer. Thus, the coupling may be of mechanical design and therefore no separate actuator is required. It is envisioned that the robotic system actuates the coupling of the plurality of accessory trailers via the robotic arm to automatically couple the plurality of accessory trailers.

The robot system can identify the desired working material and/or consumable material and/or at least one accessory trailer by means of a digital identification element, in particular by means of a bar code or an RFID chip. Thus, the robotic system can automatically identify different types or different materials of the accessory trailer, thereby eliminating confusion.

It is conceivable that for this task the robot system is at least temporarily connected to a superordinate control center via a data connection, in particular via a computer network. Thus, multiple robotic systems may be coordinated in a container handling facility. The computer network may be, for example, a wireless network, such as a WLAN, a mobile communication system, etc. For example, the superordinate control center may be a computer system in which an operator stores application plans for a plurality of such robotic systems.

Furthermore, to achieve the object, the invention provides a robot system for a container handling installation having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

For example, by designing the robotic system to automatically remove and deliver work material and/or consumable material (such as a detergent or lubricant) required for a job at the supply area to the work station for the job, the removal is done automatically by the robotic system itself and does not require an operator or complex station. Thus, disposal of work material and/or consumable material required for the job is facilitated.

Individually or in any combination, the robotic system may similarly comprise the features described above with reference to the method of using the robotic system (in particular according to one of claims 1 to 7).

In particular, the robotic system may include at least one accessory trailer for delivering work material and/or consumable material to a workstation. Thereby, the capacity of the working material and/or the consumable material is increased and can be configured more flexibly. The at least one accessory trailer may each include one or more wheels. The wheels may be arranged to be actively or passively steerable on the respective accessory trailer. It is envisioned that the at least one accessory trailer includes a plurality of accessory compartments designed as drawers, shelves, and/or box compartments.

The robotic system may include a coupling for selectively connecting or releasing at least one accessory trailer from a chassis supported on a floor. Thereby, the at least one accessory trailer can be particularly flexibly connected to the chassis supported on the floor. It is envisioned that the at least one accessory trailer may be connected to the mobile platform via the coupling. It is also conceivable that a plurality of satellite trailers can be connected to one another in series or released from one another via such a coupling.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1A to 1C show an exemplary embodiment of a method of using a robot system according to the present invention in a side view.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1A to 1C, an exemplary embodiment of a method of using a robot system 1 according to the present invention is shown in a side view. The robotic system 1 can be seen in fig. 1A before the attachment trailer 6 is coupled, in fig. 1B after the attachment trailer 6 is coupled, and in fig. 1C during the execution of a job, the robotic system 1 can be seen.

In fig. 1A, a robot system 1 with a chassis 3 and a robot unit 5 supported on a floor at a moving platform 4 can be seen. The robot unit 5 comprises a robot arm 5b having at least one joint and a tool embodied therein (e.g. as a nozzle 5a for a cleaning agent). With the robot arm 5b, the nozzle 5a can be appropriately positioned or moved during cleaning. The robot unit 5 may be modularly or securely connected with the mobile platform 4. The floor-supported chassis 3 comprises a plurality of wheels, wherein all wheels are designed to be driven and steerable. The chassis 3 supported on the floor can thus be handled particularly well. However, it is also conceivable that only some of the wheels are steerable, while the other wheels are driven.

Furthermore, an accessory trailer 6 with the work material and/or consumable material required for the work can be seen, separated from the chassis 3 supported on the floor, ready for use in the feeding area V. It is also envisioned that the robotic system 1 includes a plurality of accessory trailers 6 (similar to trains) that can be coupled simultaneously to the chassis 3 supported on the floor, either in series or in parallel.

The accessory trailer 6 comprises a supply system for the cleaning agent and is connectable to the chassis 3 supported on the floor via a coupling 8. To this end, one of the coupling halves 8a, 8b is arranged at the accessory trailer and at the mobile platform 4, respectively.

To control the method, the robot system 1 comprises a control unit 10 arranged in the moving platform 4, which controls both the chassis 3 supported on the floor and the robot unit 5. It is also possible to see a superordinate control center 11 which controls the robot system 1 represented in fig. 1A to 1C and a plurality of other robot systems not represented here via a wireless computer network (here, for example, a WLAN).

Furthermore, the accessory trailer 6 comprises an RFID chip, not represented here, by means of which the accessory trailer 6 can be recognized by the robot system 1. It is also conceivable that the cleaning agent is identified via an RFID chip.

As shown in fig. 1A, the robotic system 1 removes work material and/or consumable material by automatically coupling an accessory trailer 6 (e.g., here containing a supply system with a cleaning agent) in a supply area V. For this purpose, the chassis 3 supported on the floor is driven towards the accessory trailer 6 until the two coupling halves 8a, 8b can be connected to each other. It is conceivable that the robot arm 5b actuates the coupling 8 to perform this operation, thereby automatically coupling the accessory trailer 6.

Subsequently, as shown in fig. 1B, the robotic system 1 transports the work material and/or consumable material in the attachment trailer 6 in the direction R to the workstation a in fig. 1C.

It can also be seen in fig. 1B that an accessory trailer 6 is connected to the mobile platform 4 with a coupling 8. Furthermore, a supply hose 9 can be seen, via which hose 9 the robot unit 5 is connected to the attachment trailer 6. Thus, the feed system in the accessory trailer 6 can deliver the cleaning agent to the robot arm 5b and the nozzle 5a arranged on the robot arm 5 b.

In fig. 1C it can be seen that at the workstation a the robotic system 1 removes work material and/or consumable material (here detergent) required for the job from the attachment trailer 6 and applies it on a conveyor 2a of the container handling machine 2 (not shown in detail here), for example to clean a conveyor belt. For this purpose, the robot arm 5b is extended such that the nozzle 5a is arranged above the conveying device 2a and thus the cleaning agent can be applied on the conveying device 2a from above. For this purpose, cleaning agent is pumped from a feed system in the accessory trailer 6 via a supply hose 9 to the robot arm 5b and the nozzles 5a arranged thereon.

It is conceivable that the robot system 1, after completing a job, subsequently travels back to the supply area V and there changes the accessory trailer 6 to perform another job, for example for an accessory trailer with lubricant.

The removal of work material and/or consumable material (e.g. here detergent) required for the job at the supply area V is automatically removed by the robotic system 1 via the coupling attachment trailer 6 and transported to the workstation a for the job, the removal being done automatically by the robotic system 1 itself and without the need for an operator or a complex station. Thus, disposal of work material and/or consumable material required for the job is facilitated.

It should be understood that the features mentioned with reference to the exemplary embodiments above are not limited to combinations of these features, but may also be present alone or in any other combination.