Dual-Arm Cargo Transfer Layout for Faster Trailer Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems using 6+ degree of freedom robotic arms for conveyor and truck trailer loading/unloading are inefficient due to the need for a tow behind configuration, which requires costly and slow 180-degree rotations, limiting throughput.
Innovation Solution
A logistic system with a base vehicle equipped with a primary arm and secondary arm, where the primary arm picks objects from a cargo area and transfers them to the secondary arm, which then transports them to a conveyor line, minimizing the need for extensive arm rotations and enhancing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a tow behind conveyor configuration is used to minimize vehicle clearance to side walls, then the robot arm can reach the cargo area, but the robot arm requires a 180 degree rotation about the base which is costly to throughput due to heavy mass and slow acceleration/deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into two separate arms: a primary arm for picking objects from the cargo area and a secondary arm for receiving and transporting objects to the conveyor. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single arm to perform 180-degree rotations, as each arm operates in a dedicated workspace direction, thereby improving throughput while maintaining the tow behind configuration for minimal vehicle clearance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a 6+ degree of freedom robotic arm manipulator is used to pick and place objects, then the robot can handle complex positioning, but the heavy mass results in slow acceleration and deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two lighter robotic arms instead of one heavy 6+ degree of freedom arm. The primary arm handles picking operations while the secondary arm handles placement operations. This segmentation allows each arm to be optimized for its specific task with fewer degrees of freedom, reducing mass and improving acceleration/deceleration speeds while maintaining overall positioning capability through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the functions of two specialized robotic arms to achieve the capabilities previously requiring a single complex manipulator. By merging the picking function (primary arm) and placement function (secondary arm) into a coordinated two-arm system, the invention achieves equivalent or superior positioning capability with reduced mass and improved speed characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If the robot arm is positioned to reach the cargo area, then object pickup is enabled, but extensive rotation is required to transport objects to the conveyor
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is segmented into a primary arm positioned at the front of the base vehicle for picking objects from the cargo area, and a secondary arm positioned at the rear for placing objects on the conveyor. This spatial segmentation allows each arm to operate in its own optimized workspace without requiring extensive rotations, as the primary arm picks forward and the secondary arm places backward, eliminating the time-consuming 180-degree rotation requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A logistic system and a method are disclosed. The method comprises positioning a base vehicle in proximity to a cargo area or within the cargo area and picking, via a primary arm coupled to a first portion of the base vehicle, at least one object from the cargo area. The primary arm moves in one or more directions. The method comprises receiving, via a secondary arm coupled to a second portion of the base vehicle, the at least one object from the primary arm. The method comprises transporting, via the secondary arm, the at least one object to a conveyor line positioned at a third portion of the base vehicle. The secondary arm comprises a plurality of linkages that are collectively configured to move in the directions for receiving the at least one object from the primary arm and transporting the at least one object to the conveyor line.