Container Centering and Locking for Rubber Block Picking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a robotic cell capable of controlling and managing containers with randomly arranged rubber blocks of varying properties and orientations, which complicates the picking process in rubber product manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

An automated cell with a frame, automatic centering system, clamping system, and locking system to precisely position and secure containers, featuring guiding means, tiltable holding frames, and pivoting barriers to manage container positioning and secure it during the picking process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If rubber blocks are randomly arranged in containers with various orientations and properties, then storage space utilization is improved, but the complexity of controlling and positioning containers during the picking process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidcontainer control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container control system is segmented into three independent subsystems: centering system (with guiding means), clamping system (with holding means), and locking system (with locking means). Each subsystem handles a specific aspect of container positioning, reducing the overall control complexity while maintaining the ability to manage randomly arranged rubber blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centering system performs preliminary positioning of containers before the picking operation begins. The guiding means pre-aligns containers in the loading space, ensuring that subsequent picking operations can proceed efficiently regardless of the random arrangement of rubber blocks within the containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a robotic cell is designed to handle containers with diverse properties and random block arrangements, then versatility is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring block positions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer handling versatilityVSAvoidblock position detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different control strategies to different regions of the container. The centering system handles the container as a whole, the clamping system secures specific areas, and the locking system fixes critical positions. This localized approach allows the system to adapt to diverse container properties without requiring complete knowledge of every block's position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic cell is designed with universal components that can handle various container types and configurations. The guiding means, holding means, and locking means are configured to work with containers of different sizes and properties, enabling the system to manage random block arrangements across diverse scenarios without requiring specialized detection for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise positioning and securing of containers is implemented during the picking process, then picking precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking precisionVSAvoidpositioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is divided into three functional segments: centering (guiding means), clamping (holding means), and locking (locking means). This segmentation allows each component to focus on a specific aspect of positioning, achieving high picking precision through coordinated simple actions rather than a single complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centering, clamping, and locking systems are merged into an integrated container control mechanism that works in sequence. The guiding means centers the container, the holding means clamps it in place, and the locking means secures it during picking. This combination of simple, coordinated actions achieves precise positioning without requiring an overly complex individual component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12378086B2Automated cell for performing container control during a process of picking rubber blocks

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

The invention relates to an automated cell (100) for handling containers in which rubber blocks are arranged. The cell includes: a frame that allows the fixed installation of the cell; an automatic centering system having a guiding means that allows precise positioning of a loaded container in a loading space (112) of the cell; a clamping system having a holding means that maintains the positioning of the loaded container in the loading space of the cell; and a locking system having a locking means that maintains the positioning of the container in the loading space of the cell.