Corrugated Suction Cup for Impact Absorption in Waste Sorting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction heads for waste sorting systems are prone to damage due to limited impact absorption when moving along conveyor belts with various waste items, causing potential damage to the attached robot manipulator.
Innovation Solution
A suction head with a resilient and flexible elongated suction cup featuring corrugations that allow high degrees of freedom in movement, enabling it to absorb impacts and maintain the robot manipulator's accuracy by allowing the suction end to move freely in lateral and longitudinal directions, thus preventing energy transfer from the suction cup to the main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the suction head uses a rigid main tubular body structure, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the impact absorption capability deteriorates causing damage to the robot manipulator
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is designed as a flexible element with corrugated structure that can deform under impact loads. The flexible material and corrugations allow the suction cup to absorb impact energy through elastic deformation, preventing rigid impact transmission to the robot manipulator while maintaining structural integrity of the main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup incorporates movable elements including a movable sealing element and flexible corrugated structure that can dynamically adjust during operation. These dynamic components allow the suction cup to adapt to varying waste item shapes and absorb impact forces through controlled movement and deformation, protecting the robot manipulator from sudden impacts.
2Manufacturing precision
If the suction cup is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the adaptability to various waste item shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup utilizes flexible corrugated structure that can conform to various waste item geometries while maintaining adequate sealing and positioning. The flexibility allows adaptation to different shapes and sizes of waste items, enabling the robotic system to handle diverse materials effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup structure is divided into multiple functional segments including the corrugated body, movable sealing element, and connection interface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the corrugations provide flexibility and adaptation, while the connection interface maintains precise positioning relative to the robot manipulator.
3Device complexity
If the suction head uses fixed structural components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to absorb impact and protect the robot manipulator deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible corrugated suction cup structure provides impact absorption capability without requiring complex additional components. The inherent flexibility and elasticity of the corrugated design enable energy dissipation through simple material deformation, avoiding the need for complex shock absorption mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable sealing element and flexible structure create a dynamic system that automatically responds to impact forces. When impact occurs, the flexible components naturally deform and move to absorb energy, providing passive protection without requiring complex active control systems or additional protective components.
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
The suction head effectively absorbs impact energy, preventing damage to the robot manipulator and allowing safe and accurate lifting of waste items from a conveyor surface without transferring impact energy, ensuring the robot's operational accuracy and flexibility in handling various waste shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
providing a vacuum at the suction end for holding the waste item
Implementation Method 2
a resilient and flexible elongated suction cup... comprising a plurality of corrugations configured to provide moveability of the suction end with respect to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A suction head (1) for a waste sorting system, comprising a main body (2) for connection to a robot manipulator (3), and a resilient and flexible elongated suction cup (4) having a connecting end (5) and an opposing suction end (6). The connecting end (5) being releasably connected to the main body (2) and the suction end (6) is configured for engaging waste items. The main body (2) comprises a main connector (7) connectable to a suction system and the suction head (1) further comprises a suction channel (8) extending through the main connector (7), the main body (2) and the suction cup (4). The suction cup (4) comprises a plurality of corrugations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) providing moveability of the suction end (6) with respect to the main body (2) in a lateral X direction, a lateral Y direction, and longitudinal Z direction of the suction cup (4).