Foldable Robotic Enclosure for Rapid Production Line Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic arm enclosures are not easily movable and require time-consuming reassembly when relocating along a production line, posing safety and efficiency challenges.

Innovation Solution

A foldable and movable device with a structure comprising a base, framework, and panels that can be quickly deployed or folded, featuring a robotic arm and a foldable enclosure with independently mobile side walls and front walls for safe and efficient handling of products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the enclosure is permanently fixed in the floor at a dedicated place, then the safety of operators is maintained, but the device cannot be easily moved or relocated along the production line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoiddevice mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into multiple detachable wall panels rather than a single fixed structure. Each panel can be independently removed and repositioned, allowing the enclosure to be relocated along the production line while maintaining safety when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic reconfigurable structure. The walls can be quickly assembled and disassembled using coupling mechanisms, enabling the device to adapt its location along the production line while providing safety containment when in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the enclosure walls are permanently fixed, then structural stability is ensured, but time is wasted during relocation operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenclosure stabilityVSAvoidrelocation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wall panels are pre-equipped with coupling mechanisms and connection interfaces that enable quick assembly and disassembly. This preliminary preparation of connection systems allows rapid relocation without time-consuming fastening operations, reducing relocation time while maintaining structural stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the enclosure is made movable and foldable, then relocation efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelocation efficiencyVSAvoidenclosure structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure walls are designed to nest within each other when folded, with panels storing inside the base structure or within adjacent panels. This nesting approach enables compact storage and easy transport while maintaining relatively simple individual panel structures, balancing mobility with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4274713B1Foldable movable unit for treatment of products
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SIDEL CANADA
  • EP4274713B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4274713B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4274713B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a foldable movable device for the treatment of products. The device includes a structure having a base, a framework and panels, where the framework is upwardly fixed to the base and the panels being mounted to the framework. The device further includes an automation, fixed to the structure, that comprises a robotic arm and a tool, fixed at the robotic arm, that is suitable for gripping the products. The panels are articulately mounted on the framework, in order to be moved from a folded configuration of the device to a deployed configuration, and reversely.