Circular Tray Batching System for Robotic Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing batching systems for objects, such as food products, are inefficient and inflexible, requiring robots to move objects long distances and often disrupt the order and orientation of items, leading to suboptimal packaging and increased processing time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where robots move batching means, like trays, in a circular loop around the pick-up area, allowing for efficient transfer of objects while maintaining their orientation and order, with the ability to change tray sizes and types easily, and ensuring minimal give-away weight by allowing batches to complete in optimal conditions without time constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a robot picks up items one by one and delivers them to a single location in the same order as forwarded, then the robot can maintain simple operation, but the transfer time increases and packaging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the batching means (trays) move in a circular loop around the robot's pick-up area rather than keeping them stationary. This dynamic arrangement allows the robot to deposit items onto moving trays at optimal positions, significantly reducing transfer time while maintaining operational simplicity. The circular motion enables multiple trays to be serviced sequentially without requiring the robot to travel long distances.
2Device complexity
If batches are formed at fixed receiver stations along a conveyor, then the system structure remains simple, but the system lacks flexibility in adapting to different batch sizes and types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the batching means dynamic by moving them in a circular loop, allowing the system to adapt to different batch sizes and types without complex reconfiguration. Trays can be positioned at different locations in the circular path depending on the batching requirements, enabling flexible adaptation while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular loop system serves multiple functions: it can handle different batch sizes, accommodate various tray types, and allow the robot to access multiple batching positions. This multi-functionality enables a single system to adapt to diverse packaging requirements without requiring separate dedicated stations for each batch type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot moves items long distances to batching stations, then the robot can service multiple batch locations, but the transfer time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the batching means move dynamically in a circular loop around the robot. This allows the robot to remain relatively stationary while trays are brought to optimal deposit positions, minimizing the robot's movement distance while still enabling service to multiple batch locations through the circular circulation of trays.
4Device complexity
If items are transferred in the same order as they are forwarded, then the system maintains simple item flow, but the orientation and order of items are disrupted leading to suboptimal packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic circular motion of batching means allows the system to capture items in their forwarded order while depositing them onto moving trays at positions that preserve or optimize their orientation. The circular loop provides multiple deposit points where items can be placed in optimal orientations for subsequent packaging operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for batching of supplied objects in batches in such a manner that a batch fulfils predefined criteria as regards for example the total weight range and optionally the number of objects, weight, orientation and/or type(s) of objects. A selective transferral of the objects (1) from means for object transport (10) to batching means (14) is performed by means of one or more handling means of the robot type (20, 22, 24) in as a batch of objects is produced in consideration of said predefined criteria. The batches are produced on said batching means (14) that are moved around said one or more handling means of the robot type (20, 22, 24).