Collaborative Robot Transfer Cell for Fence-Free Manual Workstations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transfer devices face challenges in being easily introduced to work sites where manual labor is prevalent, requiring safety fences and modifications to integrate with existing setups.

Innovation Solution

A collaborative robot system with a movable housing and fixture, equipped with sensors and inspection devices, that can be easily installed and operated in areas with human presence, reducing the need for safety fences and peripheral modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a traditional industrial robot is used for transfer operations, then automation capability is improved, but safety requirements increase and integration difficulty with manual work environments worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidintegration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent functional modules: collaborative robot unit, sensor system, fixture system, and control unit. Each module can be independently configured and integrated, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collaborative robot is designed with universal interfaces and standardized mounting systems that allow it to function in both fully automated and collaborative modes. The fixture system can accommodate various objects through standardized clamping mechanisms, enhancing adaptability across different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If safety fences are installed around industrial robots, then safety is improved, but workspace flexibility and ease of deployment worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddeployment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Physical safety fences are replaced with sensor-based safety systems including proximity sensors, light curtains, and collision detection sensors. These electronic safety mechanisms provide equivalent protection without requiring physical barriers, thereby maintaining workspace flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The collaborative robot incorporates built-in safety features including force sensors that detect contact with operators and automatically reduce speed or stop. The system performs self-monitoring of safety conditions through integrated sensors, eliminating the need for external safety infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If extensive modifications are made to existing work setups for robot integration, then automation capability is improved, but implementation time and cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidimplementation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system comes pre-configured with standardized mounting fixtures, pre-programmed safety protocols, and pre-calibrated sensor systems. The fixture library includes pre-designed mounting solutions for common object types, allowing rapid deployment without extensive on-site customization or modification of existing work setups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If a collaborative robot with movable housing is used, then ease of deployment is improved, but structural stability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of deploymentVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The housing incorporates movable components including wheeled bases for repositioning and adjustable mounting arms for flexible positioning. These dynamic elements allow easy deployment and reconfiguration while maintaining operational stability through active control and rigid connection points when in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable housing design merges the mobility function with the structural support function by integrating reinforced mounting points and stable base structures into the mobile platform. This combination allows the housing to provide both ease of relocation and structural stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250361100A1Transfer device, transfer system, processing method, processing device, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a transfer device includes a collaborative robot, a first sensor, a housing, and a fixture. The collaborative robot is configured to transfer an object. The first sensor is configured to detect the object. To the housing, the collaborative robot and the first sensor are mounted, and the housing is movable by a mobile mechanism. The fixture is mounted to the housing, and is configured to fix the housing.