Two-Dimensional Robotic Palm for Variable Pitch Gripper Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic palm handling devices are limited in their ability to adjust gripper spacing in both X and Y directions independently, requiring multiple tooling setups for different applications, leading to plant downtime and inefficiency when handling items of varying sizes or arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A two-dimensional robotic palm handling device with a base plate, X and Y rails, and a drive system that allows for continuous variable spacing between the rails, enabling independent adjustment of X and Y rail positions using scissor assemblies and actuators, allowing for uniform or variable spacing ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tooling setups are used for different gripper arrangements, then different applications can be handled, but plant downtime increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper arrangement adaptabilityVSAvoidplant efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic palm uses movable rails (X rails and Y rails) that can be dynamically repositioned along the base plate to change gripper spacing and arrangement. The drive system continuously adjusts rail positions during operation, enabling the same tooling to adapt to different work unit configurations without requiring multiple fixed tooling setups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the spacing parameters between grippers by moving the rails to different positions. The X rail spacing and Y rail spacing can be independently adjusted to match different work unit arrangements, allowing one tooling setup to handle multiple applications by varying the spacing parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed ratio spacing between X and Y rails is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different spacing requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing configuration flexibilityVSAvoidspacing control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into independent X-direction control and Y-direction control components. Each direction has its own drive mechanism that can operate autonomously, allowing the X rail spacing and Y rail spacing to be adjusted independently without being coupled by a fixed ratio relationship

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate serves as a universal foundation that supports both X rails and Y rails, which can be positioned independently. This universal platform enables the system to achieve various spacing configurations by combining different X and Y rail positions, providing flexibility without requiring complex coupled control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8876182B2Integrated two dimensional robotic palm for variable pitch positioning of multiple transfer devices

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 FESTO CORP

AI summary

A handling device includes a base plate defining an X-Y plane, a plurality of X rails movably supported on the base plate and extending in an X-direction, a plurality of Y rails movably supported on the base plate and extending in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction and a drive system supported on the base plate for moving the X rails in the Y-direction and for moving the Y rails in the X-direction, wherein a spacing between the X rails varies as the X rails move, and wherein a spacing between the Y rails varies as the Y rails move, and wherein the spacing between the X-rails is continuously variable with respect to the spacing between the Y rails.