Gripper Position Sensor for Slippage Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic object handling systems face challenges in maintaining object position accuracy, leading to potential slipping or damage during handling, transport, or assembly processes, which can impair production line availability and product quality.

Innovation Solution

The method employs at least one position sensor on the object gripper to monitor the position of surface sections relative to the contact surface, generating a warning or control signal if changes occur, allowing for position correction or object re-gripping, and uses ultrasonic transducers for precise and cost-effective monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple force sensors and tactile sensor systems are used to detect slippage, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslippage detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical force sensors and tactile sensor systems with an acoustic emission detection system. By using acoustic sensors to detect sounds generated during slippage, the system achieves reliable slippage detection without the complexity of multiple force sensors or tactile sensor arrays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sound as an intermediary medium to detect slippage. Instead of directly measuring force or contact pressure, the system uses acoustic emissions (sounds generated during slippage) as an indirect indicator, simplifying the detection mechanism while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If position monitoring is performed continuously during handling, then object position accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject position accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of object position during handling operations. Rather than continuous monitoring, the system checks position at regular intervals or at critical transition points, maintaining position accuracy while minimizing processing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If complex sensor systems with multiple sensors are deployed, then detection precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition change detection precisionVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and focuses on a single key indicator (acoustic emission sounds) for detecting slippage and position changes, rather than processing data from multiple complex sensors. This simplifies the operation and data analysis while maintaining detection precision through acoustic signal characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach effectively detects slipping or damage without requiring precise object classification, enabling timely corrective actions and reducing the risk of object impairment during handling processes, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of automatic object handling.

Implementation Method 1

at least one position sensor arranged on the object gripper or the like, in particular at least one ultrasonic transducer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave emission and detection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP3815859B1Method for automatically handling objects
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 SICK AG
  • EP3815859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815859B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3815859B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a method for the automatic handling of objects, the objects are held by means of an object gripper or the like and, while held, are subjected to a handling, transport, or assembly process. At least one position sensor arranged on the object gripper or the like monitors the position of at least one surface section of the held object relative to a contact surface of the object gripper or the like, and a warning or control signal is generated if the position changes during the handling, transport, or assembly process.