Adaptive Robot Gripping Sequences for Mixed Goods Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage and order-picking systems are inflexible and unsuitable for handling a large variety of different goods, often requiring manual intervention by warehouse staff, which can be detrimental to their health, especially when handling heavy or diverse items.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that differentiate goods based on physical parameters such as dimensional stability, compressive stability, flexural rigidity, strength, and weight to control the robot's gripping unit movements, allowing it to adapt to different types of goods, enabling flexible handling and reducing manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robot system uses a fixed gripping strategy for all goods, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot handle a large variety of different goods types
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters (gripping force, motion speed, acceleration) based on detected goods properties. The robot controller adjusts these parameters dynamically according to the detected goods type, enabling the same hardware to handle diverse goods without physical modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect goods properties and feeds this information back to the robot controller. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt its gripping strategy in real-time based on the actual goods being handled, improving versatility while maintaining automated operation.
2Reliability
If the robot handles heavy goods with high gripping force, then the gripping is secure, but fragile goods may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gripping force parameter based on the detected goods type. For heavy goods, higher gripping forces are applied to ensure secure holding, while for fragile goods, lower gripping forces prevent damage. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between gripping reliability and goods protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping strategy is customized locally for each goods type rather than applying a uniform approach. The robot controller selects specific gripping parameters appropriate to the local characteristics of each goods category, enabling differentiated handling that protects fragile items while securely grasping heavy items.
3Productivity
If the robot operates at high speed for all goods, then productivity is high, but precision is reduced for fragile items
Solution Approach 1:
The system varies the motion speed parameter according to goods type. High speeds are used for robust goods to maximize productivity, while reduced speeds are applied for fragile goods to ensure precise placement and prevent damage during transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system dynamically adjusts its operational speed based on real-time detection of goods properties. This dynamic speed adaptation allows the system to optimize productivity for suitable goods while maintaining precision for fragile items, rather than operating at a fixed speed for all scenarios.
4Manufacturing precision
If specialized systems are used for different goods types, then handling precision is high, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal robot platform that can handle multiple goods types through software-based adaptation rather than requiring specialized hardware for each goods category. The robot controller uses detection data to select appropriate gripping strategies, enabling one system to perform the functions of multiple specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating physical copies of specialized systems for different goods types, the system uses virtual copying through software programs and control algorithms. Each goods type has an associated gripping strategy program that replicates the behavior of specialized systems without requiring specialized hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system includes a robot having a gripping unit for picking and placing down/throwing goods, wherein the goods are differentiated into multiple types with respect to their dimensional stability, compressive stability, flexural rigidity, strength, their absolute weight and/or specific weight. When the goods are manipulated, the robot and/or the gripping unit are controlled depending on the type determined for the goods. Moreover, a method operates the robot system.