Hydraulic Flipper Arm EOAT for Pail Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing End of Arm Tools (EOATs) for robots used in transporting five-gallon pails lack sufficient stability and security, risking pail dropping and spillage during transport, especially when lifting multiple pails over head in manufacturing facilities.
Innovation Solution
A modified EOAT platform with a rigid substrate and pail engagement and lifting apparatus, featuring multiple sets of hydraulic or air-operated flipper arms and spacer blocks, securely engages and lifts multiple pails, preventing dropping and spillage by ensuring stable contact and support during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard EOAT is used to transport five-gallon pails, then the robot can move materials efficiently, but the pails may drop or spill due to insufficient stability and security
Solution Approach 1:
The EOAT is divided into multiple independent finger assemblies, each capable of engaging and supporting individual pails. The substrate is segmented with multiple sets of fingers positioned at different locations, allowing each finger to independently secure a pail while contributing to overall system stability
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple finger assemblies are combined and mounted on a single rigid substrate, creating a unified EOAT structure that can secure multiple pails simultaneously. The substrate integrates multiple engagement points and support structures into one cohesive device that attaches to the robot arm
2Productivity
If multiple pails are lifted overhead to increase productivity, then material handling efficiency improves, but the risk of pail dropping and injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The finger assemblies are designed with specific local characteristics - curved surfaces that conform to pail contours, varying lengths to reach different pail positions, and targeted engagement points on the pail body and lid. This localized optimization ensures secure engagement at critical points while maintaining overall system capability for handling multiple pails
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid substrate and structured finger arrangements provide preemptive support and stability to pails before lifting occurs. The design ensures that pails are securely engaged and supported at multiple points prior to overhead transport, preventing drops and spills before they can occur during the lifting operation
3Ease of manufacture
If the EOAT structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then production cost decreases, but stability and security for securing pails deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The finger assemblies are designed as universal components that can engage with standard five-gallon pails using common geometric features. The curved surfaces and engagement geometries are standardized to work with conventional pail designs, allowing the EOAT to securely handle multiple pails without requiring complex custom-fit components for each specific pail type
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 enhanced EOAT platform provides improved stability and security for transporting multiple five-gallon pails, reducing the risk of injury and property damage by securely retaining pails and preventing spillage during lifting and movement.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate 5 should be suitably rigid so as not to flex substantially under the weight of all components mounted thereto
Implementation Method 2
the flipper arm of the finger (discussed below), when selectively pivoted, by means of hydraulic or air pressure, from a first, substantially vertical position, to a second, substantially horizontal position
Implementation Method 3
by means of hydraulic or air pressure
Implementation Method 4
by means of hydraulic or air pressure
Implementation Method 5
the spacer block 40 may compress against the lid of the associated pail during transport. In another embodiment, the spacer block 40 may reduce the distance between the top of the pail and lower surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A modification to a robot end of arm tool to improve the retention of pail goods during transport by the tool includes affixing to the lower surface of a of rigid, planar, substrate, one or more pail lifting apparatus, each apparatus including a plurality of pail engaging fingers and a spacer block mounted to the substrate between the plurality of fingers. Each finger includes a flipper arm that is selectively, hydraulically controllable to move from a vertical to a horizontal position. When the flipper arm is in the horizontal position, it is able to physically engage the outer surface or ledge of an associated pail to provide support to the pail. The spacer block, located above the lid of the associated pail, when the pail is engaged by the plurality of fingers, restricts vertical movement of the pail during transport. The combination of fingers and a spacer block form one pail lifting apparatus. Multiple such apparatus may be affixed to the tool substrate.