Automated Gripping Tool With Flexible Elastic Bands for Bakery Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic tools are inadequate for handling fragile baked and enrobed bakery products, leading to product damage and increased costs due to insufficient delicate handling.
Innovation Solution
An automated gripping tool with a pair of gripping arms and flexible elastic bands that sandwich the product, applying a uniform load to maintain its integrity and appearance, allowing for precise handling and adaptation to various shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If known robotic tools are used to handle enrobed bakery products, then automation and productivity are improved, but product damage and waste increase due to insufficient delicate handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible bands made of elastomeric material that can deform and conform to the shape of enrobed bakery products. These flexible bands wrap around the products during handling, providing a gentle yet secure grip that adapts to product geometry without causing damage, thereby maintaining high automation while reducing product waste
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping force applied by the robotic tool is dynamically adjusted based on product characteristics. The system modifies compression force parameters to apply sufficient grip for handling while remaining below the threshold that would cause damage to fragile enrobed products, resolving the contradiction between effective handling and product protection
2Extent of automation
If known robotic tools are used to handle enrobed bakery products, then automation is improved, but handling delicacy deteriorates resulting in product damage
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible bands made of elastomeric material are used to replace rigid robotic grippers. These bands can deform to match the contours of enrobed bakery products, providing a compliant grip that maintains product integrity while enabling fully automated handling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where the gripping force and band tension are continuously adapted during the handling process. This dynamic response allows the automated system to react to product variations and maintain reliable, damage-free handling throughout the automation cycle
3Force
If rigid gripping mechanisms are used, then gripping force and control are improved, but product appearance and integrity deteriorate due to excessive pressure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid gripping surfaces with flexible elastomeric bands that distribute gripping force across the entire contact area with the product. This flexibility eliminates concentrated pressure points that would otherwise dent or damage the appearance of enrobed bakery products, while still providing sufficient gripping force for secure handling
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bands are pre-formed and positioned to match common product geometries before handling begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the gripping force is applied, the force is already distributed across optimal contact areas, preventing appearance damage while maintaining adequate grip strength
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 tool effectively moves enrobed bakery products from production to packaging without damaging them, reducing waste and maintaining product quality, and can be easily sanitized or replaced for hygiene purposes.
Implementation Method 1
A first flexible elastic band 30A and a second flexible elastic band 30B are positioned between the pair of gripping arms 12 and are made of an elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
The automated gripping tool enables a user to move a food product from a first position to a second position while maintaining the integrity and appearance of the food product. The gripper tool makes use of flexible bands on a pair of gripping arms. The flexible bands are positioned to sandwich a food product between them with sufficient force to allow the food product to be repositioned and without damaging the integrity and appearance of the food product.