Box Unpacking Device with Downward-Pointing Cutting Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing box unpacking devices are limited in handling boxes of various sizes and seal types, as they require specific blade configurations for cutting, which restricts their versatility and can damage contents during the unpacking process.
Innovation Solution
A box unpacking device equipped with a robot and a cutting device featuring a cutting blade oriented downward or obliquely downward, allowing the robot to move the box in a vertical plane to cut open surfaces effectively, accommodating different box sizes and seal types while minimizing damage to contents by orienting the cut surface upward, allowing items to fall by their own weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a blade is installed in a conveying path for cutting cardboard boxes, then the box can be cut open, but the device can only handle boxes of a given size and seal type, reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the blade horizontally along the box in a conveying path, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the blade vertically with the point oriented downward and moving the box upward against it. This inversion allows the same blade configuration to effectively cut boxes of various sizes and seal types, significantly improving versatility without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The vertically oriented cutting blade with point downward can universally handle multiple box sizes and seal types through a single configuration. The robot's ability to move the box in the vertical plane enables this single blade to perform multiple cutting functions that previously required different blade configurations, achieving multi-functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cutting blade is oriented horizontally in a conveying path, then cutting can be performed, but the cut surface orientation cannot be controlled, increasing the risk of damaging accommodated items
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional cutting orientation by positioning the blade vertically with the point downward instead of horizontally. This causes the cut surface to naturally orient upward, allowing items inside the box to settle at the bottom due to gravity, thereby protecting them from damage by the cutting blade while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of the cutting blade into a beneficial arrangement by orienting the blade vertically with point downward. This orientation ensures that when the box is cut, the opening faces upward, allowing items to naturally settle away from the cutting path due to gravity, thus protecting them from damage
3Adaptability or versatility
If a robot moves the box in a vertical plane against a downward-pointing cutting blade, then various box sizes and seal types can be handled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cutting function with the robot's movement capability. Instead of having a separate conveying path with fixed cutting infrastructure, the robot integrates both the movement of the box in the vertical plane and the positioning relative to the cutting blade, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control where the robot can adjust its movement in the vertical plane to accommodate various box sizes and seal types. This dynamic positioning capability allows the same downward-pointing blade to effectively cut different box configurations without requiring complex fixed infrastructure
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 efficient unpacking of boxes of various sizes and seal types without damaging the contents, as the robot can adjust the cutting angle and orientation to ensure the cut surface is upward, reducing the risk of item damage during the unpacking process.
Implementation Method 1
the robot can move the box held by the holding device upward in the vertical plane to press the surface to be cut open against the cutting blade
Implementation Method 2
an accommodated item(s) inside the box is brought closer to the lower part by its own weight
Data Source
AI summary
A box unpacking device includes a robot, and a cutting device. A robot hand is attached to a wrist of the robot. The robot hand has a holding device configured to hold a packed box. The cutting device has a cutting blade of which the point is oriented downward or obliquely downward. The robot can move the box held by the holding device in a vertical plane, and change an angle of the box in the vertical plane.