Handling Device And Method For Operating A Handling Device

Abstract

A handling device for handling an object by means of manual control of the handling device by an operator, including a sensor apparatus and an evaluating apparatus, is designed and developed with a view to further simplify the handling of objects using a handling device such that the sensor apparatus comprises sensors for detecting the position of the handling device and movement data of the handling device in the form of measured values, such that the evaluating apparatus is designed to generate handling instructions and/or handling-related information for the operator by evaluating the detected measured values, and such that an output apparatus is provided for outputting the handling instructions and/or handling-related information to the operator.

Claims

1. Handling device for handling an object by means of manual control of the handling device by an operator, comprising a sensor apparatus and an evaluating apparatus, characterized in that the sensor apparatus comprises sensors for detecting the position of the handling device and movement data of the handling device in the form of measured values, and in that the evaluating apparatus is designed to generate handling instructions for the operator by evaluating the detected measured values and in that an output apparatus is provided for outputting the handling instructions to the operator, the output apparatus being designed for outputting the handling instructions to the operator in the form of optical, acoustic and/or haptic signals.

2. Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output apparatus comprises a display element for displaying the handling instructions.

3. Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output apparatus is arranged on the handling device.

4. Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output apparatus is a wearable output apparatus for the operator to wear on their body.

5. Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one drive apparatus is provided for regulating the movement speed of a handling operation.

6. Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that an identification apparatus is provided which is designed for identifying at least one of the operator and-the object.

7. Method for operating a handling device for handling an object by means of manual control by an operator, characterized by the following steps: detecting the position of the handling device and movement data of the handling device in the form of measured values, determining handling instructions by evaluating the detected measured values, and outputting the handling instructions to the operator in the form of at least one of optical, acoustic and-haptic signals.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that, no later than during the handling operation, at least one of the object and the operator is identified.

9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a movement path is output for at least one of the handling of the object and-operating commands are specified.

10. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that movement profiles that are adjusted to at least one of the operator and the handling of the object are specified.

11. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that, on the basis of a comparison of detected measured values from an earlier handling operation with current measured values from another handling operation, at least one of: a. at least one of a fatigue state and overload state of an operator is determined, and b. in that, on the basis of an evaluation of the number of handling operations, a need for maintenance of the handling device is determined.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention is explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a handling device;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a handling device;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the handling device from FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 4 shows pressure curves on the handling device from FIG. 1 for a plurality of handling processes; and

[0034] FIG. 5 shows pressure curves on the handling device from FIG. 1 for handling processes for different objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the following description and in the drawings, the same reference signs are used for identical or corresponding features.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a handling device for handling an object 12 by means of manual control of the handling device by an operator 14, the handling device as a whole being denoted by reference sign 10.

[0037] The handling device 10 comprises a sensor apparatus 16 and an evaluating apparatus 18. The sensor apparatus 16 comprises sensors 20 for detecting the position of the handling device 10 and movement data of the handling device 10 in the form of measured values.

[0038] The evaluating apparatus 18 is designed to generate handling instructions and/or handling-related information for the operator 14 by evaluating the detected measured values. In addition, an output apparatus 22 is provided for outputting the handling instructions and/or handling-related information to the operator 14.

[0039] The sensor apparatus 16 and the evaluating apparatus 18 are interconnected by means of a cable-free or cabled connection 24. The sensors 20 are arranged on the handling device 10.

[0040] The handling device 10 is designed as a tube lifter. A pivot arm 17 is fastened to a column 15, on the free end of which arm a tube 19 is arranged. A gripper or suction gripper 26 is arranged on the free end of the tube 19. The sensor apparatus 16 and the sensors 20 are arranged on the gripper 26 such that the position and movement data of the gripper 26, in particular an operating handle 30 of the gripper 26, are detected.

[0041] The output apparatus 22 comprises a display element 28 for displaying the handling instructions and/or handling-related information. The display element 28 is designed as a display. The output apparatus 22 may be designed for outputting the handling instructions and/or handling-related information in the form of optical, acoustic and/or haptic signals 29.

[0042] The output apparatus 22 is arranged on the handling device 10, specifically on the operating handle 30 of the handling device 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0043] The output apparatus 22 may also be a wearable output apparatus 22 for the operator 14 to wear on their body (see FIG. 2). The output apparatus 22 is or can be fastened to the body of the operator 14.

[0044] An identification apparatus may be provided which is designed to identify the operator 14 and/or the object 12 to be handled and comprises corresponding sensors, input apparatuses and/or communication elements, as described in the general part of the description (not shown).

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the sensors 20 may be designed as external sensors 32 and may be arranged in the environment surrounding the handling device 10. The sensors 32 are connected to the evaluating apparatus 18 by means of a cable-free or cabled connection 33.

[0046] The method for operating a handling device 10 for handling an object 12 by means of manual control by an operator 14 proceeds as follows:

[0047] First, the position of the handling device 10 and movement data of the handling device 10 are detected in the form of measured values, with the position and the movement data of the gripper 26, in particular of the operating handle 30 of the gripper 26, being detected in the present case. This can be carried out by means of the sensor apparatus 16.

[0048] Then, handling instructions and/or handling-related information are determined by evaluating the detected measured values, which can be carried out by means of the evaluating apparatus 18. Subsequently, the handling instructions and/or handling-related information are output to the operator 14, in particular by means of the output apparatus 22.

[0049] Before or during the handling of the object 12, the object 12 and/or the operator 14 can be identified, using corresponding sensors, input apparatuses and/or communication elements of the sensor apparatus 16 (not shown).

[0050] For the handling of the object 12, an optimal movement path 34 can be output for moving the object to a destination 35 (see FIG. 3), which may be a storage area. The movement path 34 can be output by means of a direction vector shown on the display element 28 of the output apparatus 22. Owing to the optimal movement path 34, a simpler handling operation is achieved in comparison with the less favorable movement path 36 intended by the operator 14.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, operating commands may be specified for the handling of the object 12. For example, the level and/or the progression of the vacuum prevailing on the gripper 26 can be adjusted to the object 12 to be handled (see FIG. 5).

[0052] The optimal movement path 34 and/or the operating commands can be determined and output by means of the handling instructions, the handling-related information and/or on the basis of information stored in the evaluating apparatus 18 relating to the identified object 12.

[0053] In addition, movement profiles that are adjusted to the operator 14 and/or the handling of the object 12 are specified.

[0054] On the basis of a comparison of detected measured values 38 at least from one earlier handling operation 40 with current measured values 42 at least from another identical handling operation 44, a fatigue state or overload state of the operator 12 can be determined. The measured values 38, 42 may be pressure values detected at the gripper 24.

[0055] For example, fatigue may be determined if a threshold value in the operating time for the handling process is exceeded and/or if break times between individual handling operations are exceeded. If a threshold value for the operating duration is exceeded during at least one handling operation, a corresponding signal can be output to the operator 14 by means of the output apparatus 22.

[0056] The number of handling operations carried out using the handling device 10 can be determined on the basis of the number of measured values 38, 42 (picking number). When a determined threshold value for the number of handling operations is exceeded, a signal can be output to the operator 14 by means of the output apparatus 22 in order to signal to the operator that the handling device 10 needs maintenance.