Ergonomic automated workstation
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsCraig CHARLTON, Andrew Michael HUCKEY, Jake Aspen WILSON, Mark Edward NESTLEROAD
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method, automated workstation, and computer system for automatically adjusting a workpiece to suit a particular operator is provided. An operator can be identified by scanning an identification badge, using facial recognition, or voice recognition. A physiological profile for the identified operator is then retrieved. A work station holding a workpiece is then automatically adjusted to set the workpiece at a height and/or orientation that is ergonomically beneficial for the operator.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- receiving electronic data that identifies a first operator from among a plurality of operators;
- retrieving at least one of first anatomical data and first physiological data for the identified first operator from a data structure;
- and
- automatically generating at least one control command to a workpiece holding fixture to adjust at least one of a height and an orientation of a workpiece in the workpiece holding fixture, based on the retrieved at least one of first anatomical data and first physiological data.
An automated work station, comprising:
- a workbench, wherein the workbench includes an actuator operable to adjust a height of the workbench;
- a workpiece holding fixture arranged on the workbench, the workpiece holding fixture comprising:
- a first workpiece securing mechanism operable to releasably secure a first end of a workpiece and to rotate the secured workpiece about an axis;
- a second workpiece securing mechanism arranged along the axis and spaced apart from the first workpiece securing mechanism, wherein the second workpiece securing mechanism is operable to releasably secure a second end of the workpiece, opposite the first end, and to rotate the secured workpiece about the axis, wherein at least one of the first workpiece securing mechanism and the second workpiece securing mechanism is moveable along the axis to accommodate different workpieces having different distances between the first end and the second end;
- and
- a drive mechanism operable to drive rotation of the end of the workpiece;
- and
- an interface operable to receive command signals from a computer system, wherein the actuator adjusts the height of the workbench in response to the interface receiving a first command signal, and wherein the drive mechanism adjusts a rotational orientation of the workpiece in response to the interface receiving a second command signal.
A computer system for use with a fixture system having actuators, comprising:
- a computer processor operable to receive an identification of a first operator and, responsive to the received identification, operable to:
- retrieve at least one of first anatomical data and first physiological data for the first operator from among a plurality of operators;
- output first control command to an interface to cause a first actuator to adjust a height of the fixture relative to the ground, based on the retrieved at least one of first anatomical data and first physiological data;
- and
- output the second control command to a second actuator to adjust a rotational orientation of the fixture, based on the retrieved at least one of first anatomical data and first physiological data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.