Proximity detection in assembly environments having machinery
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsFei Cai, Farahnaz Sisco
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for proximity detection in a fabrication environment. One embodiment is a method for reporting proximity in an assembly environment. The method includes inserting an arm of a bracket into an interior of a part that is held by a cradle, and that is worked upon by a robot, placing indexing features at the bracket into contact with indexing features of the cradle, operating sensors at the bracket to directly detect a location of a first proximity detector worn by a technician and a location of the second proximity detector at the robot, and directing the first proximity detector to provide a warning to the technician if a distance between the first proximity detector and the second proximity detector is less than a threshold.
Claims23
A method for reporting proximity in an assembly environment, the method comprising:
- inserting an arm of a bracket into an interior of a part that is held by a cradle, and that is worked upon by a robot;
- placing indexing features at the bracket into contact with indexing features of the cradle;
- operating sensors at the bracket to directly detect a location of a first proximity detector worn by a technician and a location of a second proximity detector at the robot;
- and
- directing the first proximity detector to provide a warning to the technician if a distance between the first proximity detector and the second proximity detector is less than a threshold.
A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method for reporting proximity in an assembly environment, the method comprising:
- inserting an arm of a bracket into an interior of a part that is held by a cradle, and that is worked upon by a robot;
- placing indexing features at the bracket into contact with indexing features of the cradle;
- operating sensors at the bracket to directly detect a location of a first proximity detector worn by a technician and a location of a second proximity detector at the robot;
- and
- directing the first proximity detector to provide a warning to the technician if a distance between the first proximity detector and the second proximity detector is less than a threshold.
A system for proximity reporting in an assembly environment, the system comprising:
- a first proximity detector that is wearable;
- a second proximity detector that is disposed at a robot in a cell of the assembly environment;
- a cradle that holds a part having an interior, the cradle including indexing features;
- and
- a bracket comprising:
- a base having indexing features that mate with the indexing features of the cradle;
- an arm inserted into the interior of the part;
- and
- multiple sensors disposed at the arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.