Object weight sensing structure and integrated system thereof

Abstract

A weight detecting structure and an integrated system thereof are disclosed. The weight detecting structure is used to detect the weight of an object. A processor is used to analyze the detected weight of the object and automatically adjust the operation parameters of a carrying device to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the carrying device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to object handling mechanisms, and in particular to an object weight detection structure and an integrated system having the object weight detection structure. Background Technology

[0002] In many situations requiring the handling of objects, automated robotic arms are used to replace human labor to reduce manual workload or improve efficiency, performing lifting, lateral movement, and other actions during object handling. A robotic arm typically consists of multiple arms and movable joints, driven by motors. When the objects to be handled are of similar size, shape, and weight, the motor output power of the robotic arm remains constant, and the handling is completed at a fixed speed.

[0003] However, when there are significant differences in the weight of the objects being moved, for example, if the objects moved in the previous batch were light but the objects moved in the next batch were significantly heavier, the motors of the robotic arm would have to maintain the same output power to drive the various components to perform lifting or lateral movements. In addition, when the objects being moved are heavier, the motor load will increase, which will not only consume more energy in the long run but also shorten the lifespan of the motors. Furthermore, if the moving speed of the robotic arm remains unchanged when the objects are heavier, there is a risk that the objects being moved may be thrown off. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an object weight detection structure and its integrated system, which has the function of detecting the weight of an object.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a weight detection structure for an object, comprising a base, a support plate, and a weight detection unit. The base has a reference surface; the support plate is disposed above the base and is movable relative to the reference surface along a baseline, the support plate being used to hold an object to be measured, the baseline being perpendicular to the reference surface; the weight detection unit includes a detector and a pressing member, the detector being disposed on the base, the pressing member being synchronously displaced with the support plate, the pressing member having an actuating end for contacting the detector, the detector generating an electrical signal under load, the electrical signal including the weight of the object to be measured.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a system for integrating the detection of object weight, comprising the above-described object weight detection structure, a conveying device, and a processor. The conveying device is used to move the object to be tested, placed on the carrier tray, to a predetermined position; the processor is electrically connected to the detector and the conveying device, and the processor controls the speed at which the conveying device moves the object to be tested based on the electrical signal generated by the detector.

[0007] In one embodiment, the conveying device includes a lifting unit and a motor, the motor driving the lifting unit to move up and down, and the processor controlling the output power of the motor according to the electrical signal generated by the detector.

[0008] The advantage of this invention is that after the weight of the object is measured by the object weight detection structure, the output power of the motor of the conveying device is controlled by the processor. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an object weight detection structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the structure used to detect the weight of the object shown;

[0011] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An exploded view of the structure used to determine the weight of the object shown.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 1 4-4 sectional view;

[0013] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A bottom view of the structure used to detect the weight of the object shown.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a system for integrating the detection of object weight according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 7 for Figure 6 The diagram shows the operation flow of the system.

[0016] [Symbol Explanation]

[0017] 100: Object weight detection structure

[0018] 10: Base

[0019] 12: Platform

[0020] 12a: Reference plane

[0021] 12b: Bottom surface

[0022] 12c: Shaft hole

[0023] 14: Support legs

[0024] 20: Support plate

[0025] 30: Weight detection unit

[0026] 31: Fixture

[0027] 31a: concave part

[0028] 32: Detector

[0029] 32a: Lockhole

[0030] 32b: Strain gauge

[0031] 33: Bearing housing

[0032] 34: Pressing component

[0033] 34a: Functional end

[0034] 35: Bolt

[0035] 36: Nuts

[0036] 37: Bolt

[0037] 38: Bolt

[0038] 200: Transport device

[0039] 201:Abutment

[0040] 202: Lifting Unit

[0041] 202a: outrigger

[0042] 202b: Movable joint

[0043] 202c: Component grabbing

[0044] 203: Motor

[0045] 300: Processor

[0046] A: The object to be tested

[0047] L: Baseline

[0048] S1, S2: Control signals Detailed Implementation

[0049] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 5 The present invention discloses a preferred embodiment of an object weight detection structure 100, which includes a base 10, a support plate 20 and a weight detection unit 30.

[0050] The base 10 has a platform 12 that is securely mounted. The platform 12 has a reference surface 12a and a bottom surface 12b opposite to the reference surface 12a. In this embodiment, the platform 12 is elevated by connecting multiple legs 14. The platform 12 has a shaft hole 12c that passes through the reference surface 12a and the bottom surface 12b, and a baseline L is defined that passes through the center of the shaft hole 12c perpendicular to the reference surface 12a.

[0051] The support tray 20 is positioned above the platform 12 of the base 10 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the reference surface 12a along the baseline L. The support tray 20 is used to hold an object to be tested (not shown). The object to be tested varies depending on the application of the object weight detection structure 100. For example, in the case of machining and manufacturing mechanical parts, the object to be tested may be the workpiece being processed; in a warehousing environment, the object to be tested may be the item to be stacked.

[0052] The weight detection unit 30 is used to generate an electrical signal when the object to be measured is placed on the support tray 20. This electrical signal includes the weight of the object. In this embodiment, the weight detection unit 30 is located below the bottom surface 12b of the platform 12 and includes a mounting bracket 31, a detector 32, a bearing seat 33, and a pressing member 34. The mounting bracket 31 is secured to the platform 12 by multiple bolts 35 passing through it and using nuts 36. It is located at a predetermined distance below the bottom surface 12b. The mounting bracket 31 has a recess 31a. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the detector 32 is secured to the fixing frame 31 at one end by two bolts 37. The other end of the detector 32 corresponds to the recess 31a and is suspended. The detector 32 has a locking hole 32a at the suspended end. The bearing seat 33 is fixed to the bearing plate 20 by multiple bolts 38 and is located below the bearing plate 20. The bearing seat 33 is partially located in the shaft hole 12c. The pressing member 34 is rod-shaped and fixed to the bearing seat 33. In this embodiment, the pressing member 34 is a screw and one end is locked to the bearing seat 33. The other end passes through the locking hole 32a of the detector 32 and is fixed thereto. Here, the end fixed to the locking hole 32a is defined as the working end 34a as defined in this invention. Figure 4 As shown, the baseline L passes through the active end 34a.

[0053] In the above description, the detector 32 is a weighing sensor including a strain gauge 32b. The strain gauge 32b deforms under load, causing a change in resistance and generating an electrical signal. As explained above, when the bearing plate 20 holds the object to be measured, the weight of the object causes the bearing plate 20 and the pressing member 34 to move synchronously in the direction of gravity. The pressing member 34 applies pressure to the suspended end of the detector 32, and the deformation of the strain gauge 32b generates the electrical signal. The information about the weight of the object contained in this electrical signal is for subsequent operations or reference. In one application example, the electrical signal can be displayed on a display (not shown) to show the weight of the object for easy detection.

[0054] Furthermore, it should be noted that a guide structure can be optionally added between the platform 12 and the support plate 20 of the base 10 to stabilize the movement of the support plate 20. The guide structure can be a guide post fixed to the platform 12 and passing through the support plate 20, or a bushing disposed in the shaft hole 12c, allowing the bearing seat 33 to slide smoothly along the bushing. The support plate 20 can also be designed to rotate around the baseline L to increase practicality.

[0055] The above describes the object weight detection structure 100 of the present invention. The following describes a system incorporating the object weight detection structure 100. Please refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the system includes an object weight detection structure 100, a conveying device 200, and a processor 300. The conveying device 200 is located near the object weight detection structure 100. The processor 300 is electrically connected to the detector 32 and the conveying device 200. Based on the electrical signal generated by the detector 32, the processor 300 controls the speed at which the conveying device 200 moves the object A to be tested, placed on the carrier tray 20, to a predetermined position. In one embodiment, the conveying device 200 includes a base 201, a lifting unit 202, and a motor 203. The base 201 may be fixed or movable. The lifting unit 202 is mounted on the base 201 and is a robotic arm that includes a support arm 202a and a movable joint 202b. A gripper 202c is provided at its front end to grip the object A to be tested placed on the carrier plate 20. The motor 203 is a power source that drives the lifting unit 202 to perform lifting, lowering, or lateral movements.

[0056] As described above, when the detector 32 senses the weight of the object A to be tested placed on the carrier tray 20 and generates an electrical signal accordingly, the processor 300 receives the electrical signal and, after processing such as analysis and calculation, determines whether the weight of the object A to be tested is greater than or less than a threshold, generates a corresponding control signal. The control signal is used to automatically adjust the operating parameters of the motor 203 so that the lifting unit 202 can perform the handling process more efficiently and energy-savingly when handling the object A to be tested. The aforementioned parameters include, but are not limited to, the output power and moving speed of the motor 203. For example, when the processor 300 determines that the weight of the object A to be transported is greater than the set threshold, it generates a control signal S1. Since the weight of the object A to be transported is measured to be too heavy or excessive, in order to avoid the outriggers 202a and movable joints 202b bearing excessive load and to avoid the object A to be transported being accidentally thrown, the control signal S1 will cause the operating parameters of the motor 203 to be automatically adjusted to appropriate control parameters, so that the lifting unit 202 can grab the object A to be transported with higher power and transport the object A to be transported with a slower moving speed (including lifting speed and lateral movement speed), thereby avoiding the object A to be transported being accidentally thrown. Conversely, if the processor 300 determines that the weight of the object A to be measured is less than the set threshold, it generates a control signal S2. This control signal S2 causes the operating parameters of the motor 203 to be automatically adjusted. While ensuring that the object A to be measured is stably gripped, the transfer speed can be increased to improve the efficiency of the handling operation. It is worth mentioning that the aforementioned threshold can be a single value or a range of values. As long as the weight of the object A to be measured falls within the range, a control signal is generated; if the weight falls outside the range, another control signal is generated, and so on. The threshold can also be designed to have multiple ranges of values.

[0057] The aforementioned system detects the weight of the object to be tested A in advance, and after analysis and judgment by the processor 300, automatically adjusts the handling parameters of the handling device 200. This allows the handling device 200 to execute the handling procedure with appropriate power output and speed, thereby ensuring the effective operation of the motor 203 and the smoothness and efficiency of the handling process. The system has the function of quickly determining the weight of the object. When the size, shape, and weight of the object to be handled vary, the present invention can automatically adjust the handling parameters in real time so that the handling device 200 can perform the handling with appropriate power. Furthermore, the system of the present invention may be further equipped with an image recognition device (not shown) to identify the posture of the object to be tested placed on the carrier plate 20, thereby helping the handling device 200 to reliably grasp the object to be tested.

[0058] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made by applying the present invention specification and the claims should be included within the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A weight detection structure for an object, characterized in that, Include: A base with a reference plane; A support plate is disposed above the base and is movable relative to the reference surface along a baseline. The support plate is used to hold an object to be measured. The baseline is perpendicular to the reference surface. A weight detection unit includes a detector and a pressing member. The detector is disposed on the base, and the pressing member is displaced synchronously with the bearing plate. The pressing member has an active end for contacting the detector. The detector generates an electrical signal under load, and the electrical signal includes the weight of the object to be measured.

2. The object weight detection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base has a platform with a reference surface and a bottom surface opposite to the reference surface. The platform has a shaft hole that passes through the reference surface and the bottom surface, and the baseline passes through the center of the shaft hole. The detector is disposed below the bottom surface of the platform. The weight detection unit includes a bearing housing, which is fixed to the bearing plate. The pressing member is fixed to the bearing housing, and the baseline passes through the actuating end.

3. The object weight detection structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The weight detection unit includes a fixed frame that is fixed to the platform and located below the bottom surface; one end of the detector is fixed to the fixed frame and the other end is suspended; the working end of the pressing member contacts the suspended end of the detector; the detector includes a strain gauge that deforms and generates an electrical signal when subjected to a load.

4. The object weight detection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier plate is capable of rotating around this baseline.

5. A system for integrating the detection of object weight, characterized in that, Include: The object weight detection structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 4; A transport device for transporting the object to be tested, which is placed on the carrier plate, to a predetermined position; as well as A processor is electrically connected to the detector and the conveying device. The processor controls the speed at which the conveying device moves the object under test based on the electrical signal generated by the detector.

6. The system for integrating object weight detection as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The conveying device includes a lifting unit and a motor. The motor drives the lifting unit to move up and down. The processor controls the output power of the motor based on the electrical signal generated by the detector.

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