7-Axis Robot on Linear Rail for Warehouse Tray Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In warehouse operations, tasks such as line kitting, which involve assembling stacked trays of items, are often performed by human workers, leading to fatigue, injuries, and inefficiencies due to the manual handling of trays.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system with a 7th linear axis, integrated into a 6-axis robot, allows for movement along a guide rail, enabling the robot to operate within a larger solution space and perform tasks such as grasping, moving, and placing trays with increased efficiency and reduced human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human workers manually handle trays for line kitting operations, then the operation can be performed with simple equipment, but worker fatigue and injuries increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (human workers) with an automated robotic system featuring a 7-axis configuration. The robot comprises a base, end effector, and seven degrees of freedom including six rotational axes and one linear axis along a guide rail, enabling automated tray handling without human intervention and eliminating worker fatigue and injuries while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a seventh linear dimension to the traditional 6-axis robot configuration. This linear axis allows movement along a guide rail, expanding the robot's workspace and enabling it to access locations outside the conventional spherical reach space, thereby improving productivity in line kitting operations
2Area of stationary object
If a traditional 6-axis robot is used, then the device complexity is lower, but the robot cannot access all locations within the expanded solution space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the robot from six to seven degrees of freedom by adding a linear axis that moves the robot along a guide rail. This seventh dimension transforms the robot's workspace from a fixed spherical volume to an expanded solution space that includes locations along the linear path, increasing the reachable area without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the robot system into modular components: a base, a 6-axis robotic arm, and a separate linear motion system along a guide rail. This segmentation allows the linear axis to be independently controlled and integrated with the 6-axis robot, achieving expanded workspace while managing device complexity through modular architecture
3Productivity
If the robot moves along a guide rail with a 7th linear axis, then the robot can access more locations and improve productivity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a linear motion system as a seventh axis that moves the robot along a guide rail. This additional dimension enables the robot to access multiple locations along the rail, significantly improving productivity in tray assembly operations by enabling sequential access to different workstations or storage locations
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the linear motion of the robot. By providing a predefined path and support structure, the guide rail simplifies the implementation of the seventh axis compared to free-space linear motion, managing device complexity while enabling expanded functionality
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a robotic control system, and a method and a computer system for controlling a robot. The robotic control system includes a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The memory is configured to store configured to store a model of a robot having a plurality of axes of control including at least a linear axis and one or more rotational axes. The one or more processors are configured to use the model to control the robot to perform a task, including by sending to the robot a set of control signals to cause the robot to move with respect to two or more of said axes of control including at least the linear axis.