Bendable Suction Holders for Precise Object Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot hand apparatuses struggle to accurately pick up specific objects from densely arranged products without also picking up adjacent items due to size mismatches between the object's sucked surface and the suction hand's surface.
Innovation Solution
A robot hand apparatus featuring two bendable holders with opposing sucking surfaces that adjust their bending positions based on the object's size, allowing for precise suction and prevention of adjacent items from being sucked, without the need for additional bending mechanisms or actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sucking surface of the suction hand is used to pick up objects from densely arranged products, then the robot hand can hold objects, but the target object and adjacent products are sucked together when the sucked surface is smaller than the sucking surface
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be bendable at any position, allowing the sucking surface to dynamically adjust its shape and effective area. When pressing against the object, the holder bends to match the object's dimensions, creating a suction area that precisely fits the target object without extending to adjacent products. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the sucking surface size-matched to the object being held.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the holder from rigid to flexible, enabling the sucking surface area to vary based on the object's size. By allowing the holder material to deform under pressure, the effective suction area parameter adapts to match different object dimensions, preventing adjacent products from being included in the suction zone while maintaining secure hold on the target object.
2Device complexity
If a single suction hand is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accurately pick up specific objects from densely arranged products
Solution Approach 1:
The suction hand is segmented into multiple holders (first holder and second holder) with opposing sucking surfaces. This segmentation allows each holder to independently adapt to the object's dimensions while working in coordination. The divided structure provides better control over the suction area shape and size, enabling precise selection of target objects from densely arranged products while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane suction surface to a three-dimensional configuration with opposing holders. This dimensional change allows the suction surfaces to wrap around or conform to the object from multiple directions, creating a more precise fit. The opposing holder arrangement enables the suction area to be defined by the object's geometry rather than the holder's fixed geometry, significantly improving picking precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sucking surface area is fixed, then the apparatus design is simple, but it cannot adapt to objects of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is constructed as a flexible element that can bend at any position along its length. This flexible structure allows the sucking surface to conform to objects of various sizes and shapes without requiring multiple rigid components or complex adjustment mechanisms. The flexibility is achieved through appropriate material selection and structural design, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing excellent adaptability to different object dimensions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient picking up of target objects by adjusting the suction surface area to match the object's size, preventing adjacent items from being picked up and allowing for downsized apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
a first holder (40) with a proximal end thereof supported by the supporter (38), the first holder having a first sucking surface (44) that is bendable at any position and that sucks an object (4) using negative pressure; and a second holder (42) with a proximal end thereof supported by the supporter (38), the second holder having a second sucking surface (46) that is bendable at any position and that sucks the object (4) using negative pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A robot hand apparatus includes a first holder having a bendable first sucking surface that sucks an object using negative pressure; and a second holder having a bendable second sucking surface that sucks the object using negative pressure. The first holder and the second holder are arranged such that the first sucking surface opposes the second sucking surface. When the first holder and the second holder hold the object, in a state in which the first sucking surface is bent at a first position and the second sucking surface is bent at a second position, the object is sucked to a region of the first sucking surface between the first position and a distal end of the first holder, and the object is sucked to a region of the second sucking surface between the second position and a distal end of the second holder.