Autonomous Box Opening With Adaptive Cut Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container opening systems struggle with precision and accuracy, leading to high damage rates of contents due to varying box sizes and shapes, requiring manual adjustments and costly tool changes, and are unable to adapt to random box configurations without significant delays.
Innovation Solution
An assembly with an electro-actuation clutch for selective platform movement, enabling autonomous adjustment of cutting element depth and path, and automatic replacement, combined with infrared detection for real-time wall thickness measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional dimensional technology is used to measure boxes, then measurement capability is limited, but measurement precision is insufficient for high-precision cutting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical dimensional measurement systems with a vision-based optical measurement system. The system uses cameras and image processing algorithms to capture and analyze box geometry, eliminating the limitations of mechanical contact measurement while achieving sub-millimeter precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D model (copy) of the physical box through vision measurement. This digital replica contains all geometric information needed for cutting path calculation, allowing virtual simulation and optimization of cutting parameters before actual cutting, thereby achieving high precision without requiring complex physical measurement apparatus.
2Manufacturing precision
If expensive and bulky tools are used to provide higher precision cutting, then cutting precision improves, but adaptability to various box sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a robotic manipulator with dynamic positioning capability that can adapt its end effector position and orientation in real-time based on measured box geometry. The system calculates optimal cutting paths dynamically for each box configuration, allowing precise cutting across varying sizes and shapes without requiring physical tool changes or reconfigurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a universal robotic cutting system with a programmable end effector that can handle multiple box types and configurations. The system integrates vision measurement, digital modeling, and adaptive path planning to provide a single versatile tool that replaces multiple specialized cutting tools, achieving both precision and adaptability.
3Productivity
If conventional tools are used without automatic setting adjustment, then system simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases due to manual changes and database creation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-servicing system where the automated opening machine measures each box, calculates cutting parameters, and executes cutting without manual intervention. The system automatically creates and stores cutting recipes in its database, eliminating the need for manual database creation and tool setting adjustments, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining reasonable automation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback loops where measurement data from vision systems feeds into path planning algorithms, which then guide the cutting execution. The system continuously monitors cutting quality and adjusts parameters in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that improves productivity through automation while managing complexity through intelligent feedback mechanisms.
4Reliability
If cut depth is increased to ensure box opening, then opening reliability improves, but content damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts cutting parameters including depth, speed, and path based on real-time measurement data of each box. The system determines optimal cut depth by analyzing box wall thickness and material properties from vision measurement, ensuring sufficient penetration for reliable opening while minimizing depth to avoid content damage, thereby resolving the contradiction between opening reliability and damage prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies for cutting objects including a platform with a cutting element linked to the platform. The platform configured with an electro-actuation clutch for selective movement of the platform. Wherein movement of the platform via actuation of the electro-actuation clutch enables manipulation of the cutting element. A method for cutting objects.