Adaptive Chute Flow Disrupter for Robotic Item Singulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unpredictability of item flow in chutes used in robotic systems for handling non-homogeneous items leads to inefficiencies, jams, and sub-optimal robotic arm performance in tasks such as singulation, kitting, and palletization.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system that includes a flow disrupter device to control and regulate item flow by changing the chute's geometry and orientation using actuators, sensors, and a control computer to optimize the flow based on workspace conditions and item characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If items are conveyed through a chute in a robotic system, then item flow is automated, but the unpredictability of item flow causes jams and reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The chute geometry is made dynamically adjustable through actuators that can change the chute's orientation and internal structure in real-time based on detected item characteristics and flow conditions, transforming a static conveyance path into an adaptive system that responds to varying item properties
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the chute including its angle of inclination, cross-sectional shape, and surface characteristics to optimize item flow for different item types, allowing the same chute to handle diverse items efficiently without manual intervention
2Reliability
If the chute geometry is changed to regulate item flow, then flow predictability improves, but device complexity increases due to actuators and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A single adjustable chute structure serves multiple functions by changing its geometry to handle different item types, sizes, and flow rates, replacing what would otherwise require multiple fixed chutes or manual adjustments, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors detect item characteristics and flow conditions, providing real-time feedback to the control system which automatically adjusts chute geometry accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates the need for complex manual control mechanisms and operators
3Productivity
If sensors and actuators are added to control item flow, then workflow optimization improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect item characteristics and triggers actuators to adjust chute geometry without human intervention, enabling the system to self-regulate and optimize its own performance, thereby justifying the added components through autonomous operation and reduced labor requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic system is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface, and one or more processors coupled to the communication interface and configured to: receive, via the communication interface, data associated with a plurality of items within a workspace, determine to control a flow of items on a chute based at least in part on the data associated with the plurality of items within the workspace, and in response to determining to control the flow of items, implement to control the flow of items at least by controlling a flow disrupter move in a manner that causes the flow of items to change, wherein the flow disrupter is flush with the chute when the flow disrupter is not deployed to impede the flow of items.