Elastic Adhesion Manipulator for Variable Geometry Package Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for moving packages with variable geometry, such as cereal bags, often result in crushing of contents due to gravity transitions between conveyor belts and violent shocks at high production capacities.
Innovation Solution
A manipulator equipped with a pair of gripping elements and a plurality of adhesion elements mounted on elastic supports, allowing the adhesion elements to adapt to the package's geometry, is used to securely move packages between points, minimizing impacts and crushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packages are moved between conveyor belts by gravity, then the movement is simple and continuous, but the package contents are crushed due to impact and violent shocks
Solution Approach 1:
A manipulator device acts as an intermediary between conveyor belts to transfer packages without direct gravity-based dropping. The manipulator gently picks up packages from the first conveyor belt and places them on the second belt, eliminating impact and violent shocks that cause crushing of fragile contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The gravity-based passive transfer mechanism is replaced with an active mechanical manipulator system that uses controlled gripping and positioning forces. This substitution allows precise, gentle handling of packages while maintaining continuous flow between conveyor belts.
2Productivity
If high production capacity is required, then packages are moved at high speeds, but relatively violent shocks occur that worsen the quality of the end product
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator device incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities to adapt to high-speed package movement. The gripping elements and positioning mechanisms can rapidly adjust their motion parameters to match the high speed of package transfer while maintaining gentle handling, thus preserving product quality at elevated production rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator system dynamically changes operational parameters such as gripping force, movement speed, and positioning accuracy to optimize performance at high production speeds. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains both high productivity and high manufacturing precision without violent shocks.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If grippers are used to transfer packages, then impact is reduced, but the gripper cannot deposit the package on the bottom of the mandrel in wrap-around processes
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator device is segmented into multiple functional components: gripping elements for secure holding, adhesion elements for gentle contact and deposition, and elastic supports for geometric adaptation. This segmentation allows the device to perform both impact-reduction transfer and precise mandrel deposition functions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Adhesion elements serve as an intermediary between the gripping elements and the package/mandrel surfaces. These adhesion elements provide a gentle contact interface that enables precise deposition on the mandrel bottom while maintaining the impact-reduction benefits of the gripping mechanism.
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 solution effectively minimizes the risk of package contents being crushed during movement, even at high speeds, by ensuring secure retention and adaptation to the package's geometry, thus improving the quality of the end product.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of adhesion elements (12), interposed between the gripping elements (11), wherein each adhesion element (12) is mounted on a respective elastic support (13) capable of adapting its extension, in particular along a substantially vertical direction, independently of the other elastic supports (13)
Data Source
AI summary
A manipulator for packages with variable geometry includes a pair of gripping elements movable from an open configuration to a gripping configuration and vice versa, and cooperating with each other to grasp one of said packages. The manipulator further includes a plurality of adhesion elements interposed between the gripping elements, wherein each of said adhesion elements is mounted on a respective elastic support capable of varying their extension independently of each other.