Flexible Bag Covering Robotic Arm for Food Processing Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robots are not designed to handle scattering scrap meat and cleaning water in food processing sites, leading to reduced productivity due to hygiene management requirements.

Innovation Solution

A robot with a flexible bag covering its robotic arm to prevent scrap meat and cleaning water from entering the robot, while allowing exposure of the end effector for easier washing and including binding parts to narrow openings and a bag gripper to secure the bag, ensuring hygiene and productivity improvement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional robots are used in food processing sites, then productivity can be improved through automation, but hygiene management becomes difficult due to scattering scrap meat and cleaning water infiltrating the robot

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidscrap meat and cleaning water infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible bag made of plastic or rubber material to cover the robotic arm and base. This flexible shell creates a protective barrier that prevents scrap meat and cleaning water from infiltrating the robot while allowing the robotic arm to move freely within the bag, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement through automation and hygiene management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the robotic arm is covered with a bag to prevent contamination, then hygiene management is improved, but the end effector becomes difficult to access for washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidend effector washing accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bag into multiple parts: a main body covering the robotic arm, a separate base bag covering the base, and specific opening configurations. The end effector can be exposed through openings in the arm bag, while the base bag has openings for the leg. This segmentation allows the end effector to be accessible for washing while maintaining contamination prevention, resolving the contradiction between hygiene management and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If openings are formed in the bag to expose the end effector, then washing becomes easier, but foreign substances may enter through the openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend effector washingVSAvoidforeign substance entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic sealing mechanisms including binding parts that can be tightened or loosened, and elastic sealing members that deform to close gaps. These dynamic elements allow the openings to be adjusted: opened for washing access and closed or narrowed during operation to prevent foreign substance entry, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11020851B2Robot and bag used for the robot

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK

AI summary

A robot includes a base, a robotic arm supported by the base, and a bag having flexibility configured to accommodate the robotic arm.