Grasping Mechanism Orientation Manipulation for Item Gathering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for gathering items from an area often require items to be in a specific position or orientation, limiting flexibility and efficiency, and may pose risks to human operators who need to manually manipulate and move them.
Innovation Solution
A grasping mechanism that can capture and manipulate items to ensure proper orientation and position for capture, allowing for flexible item handling and autonomous operation, including the use of sensors and securing devices to secure items during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If items are required to be in a specific position or orientation before gathering, then the gathering process can be simpler, but the flexibility and efficiency of item collection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the grasping mechanism approach and manipulate items to achieve proper orientation before capture. The mechanism uses manipulation capabilities to pre-position items in suitable orientations, enabling subsequent efficient gathering without requiring items to be pre-oriented in the storage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The grasping mechanism is designed with dynamic manipulation capabilities that allow it to adaptively adjust item orientation during the gathering process. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to handle items in various initial positions and orientations, improving both flexibility and collection efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If human operators manually manipulate and move items, then precise positioning can be achieved, but operational risks and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by using the autonomous grasping mechanism to manipulate and position items without human intervention. The mechanism autonomously determines proper orientations and executes manipulation tasks, eliminating the need for human operators to physically handle items while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual human manipulation with an automated grasping mechanism equipped with sensors and control systems. This substitution maintains precise positioning capabilities while eliminating operational risks associated with human involvement in hazardous environments.
3Ease of operation
If vehicles stop to load and unload items, then item handling can be thorough, but continuous operation and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuity of useful action by allowing vehicles to transport items while in motion. The grasping mechanism can capture and secure items during vehicle movement, eliminating the need to stop for loading and unloading operations, thereby maintaining continuous vehicle operation and improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of gathering at least one item from an area is provided. The method includes providing at least one grasping mechanism for capturing at least one item, gathering information regarding a first item, including information regarding the first item's orientation in the area, and determining whether the grasping mechanism is able to capture the first item from the area based on the information regarding the first item's orientation. The method further includes manipulating, via the grasping mechanism, the first item if necessary based on the information regarding the first item's orientation to ensure the first item is in an orientation in which the grasping mechanism is able to capture the first item from the area, and capturing the first item with the grasping mechanism and moving the first item to another area.