Pick-and-Place Device With Eccentric Cam Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pick-and-place devices are inefficient and unreliable when handling multiple small products simultaneously, often requiring multiple devices that can occupy valuable space and result in errors during simultaneous operations.

Innovation Solution

A pick-and-place device with a base frame, pivotable eccentric members, and rotatable cam track bodies that support movable arms with pickup members, allowing for coordinated movement between the support unit and arms to achieve simultaneous picking and placing of multiple objects along curved or linear paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple separate pick-and-place devices are used to handle multiple products simultaneously, then the capability to pick and place multiple objects is improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to pick and place multiple objects simultaneouslyVSAvoidnumber of separate devices required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple pick-and-place functions into a single integrated device. Multiple arms share a common base frame and support unit, with coordinated movement through shared cam tracks and coupling mechanisms. This merging approach enables simultaneous handling of multiple objects while reducing the number of separate devices needed, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If multiple separate pick-and-place devices are used to handle multiple products simultaneously, then the capability to pick and place multiple objects is improved, but the space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to pick and place multiple objects simultaneouslyVSAvoidspace occupation on assembly line

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple pick-and-place functions into one compact device with shared structural components (base frame, support unit, cam tracks), the patent reduces the total space occupation compared to having multiple separate devices. The coordinated movement mechanism allows multiple arms to operate simultaneously within a confined area, enabling high productivity without proportionally increasing space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple separate pick-and-place devices are used for simultaneous operations, then the handling capacity is improved, but the reliability of simultaneous operations worsens due to synchronization errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capacity for simultaneous operationsVSAvoidreliability of simultaneous pick and place operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control mechanisms of multiple arms into a unified system. The coupling device and shared cam tracks ensure that all arms move in coordinated fashion driven by a single support unit. This unified control architecture eliminates synchronization errors between separate devices, maintaining high reliability while achieving high handling capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If multiple separate pick-and-place devices are used, then the capability to handle multiple objects is improved, but the devices may interfere with each other due to limited space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle multiple objectsVSAvoidinterference between devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple arms under a single support unit with coordinated movement, the patent ensures that arms operate in a planned sequence and spatial arrangement. The coupling device and cam track system prevent arms from moving independently in ways that would cause interference. This merged architecture enables high productivity while minimizing harmful interactions between the handling elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables reliable and efficient simultaneous picking and placing of multiple small objects by combining the movement of the support unit and arms, improving operational efficiency and reducing errors.

Implementation Method 1

each movable arm comprises a cam configured to move in a rotatable cam track which is associated with said movable arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

a coupling device comprising a left eccentric member and a right eccentric member, wherein the left and right eccentric members are pivotable relative to the left and right posts about an eccentric member axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEccentric motion: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP3478610B1Pick-and-place device

Publication Date: 2022.11.23 VAN DER SLUIS CIGAR MACHINERY BV

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a pick-and-place device (10) with multiple movable arms (19) slidably connect to a support unit, each movable arm (19) comprising a pickup member (18) and a cam movable in a rotatable cam track (25) of a cam track body (24) rotatably connected to the support unit. The support unit is connected to a base frame (13, 14) via excentric members (33) so that the movements of the pickup members (18) are composed of the circular or composite movement of the support unit relative to the base frame (13, 14) and the sliding movement of the arms (19) relative to the support unit.