Manipulator Positioning for Piece Goods Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling and positioning piece goods in rows for palletizing are inefficient due to high mechanical stresses, complex and expensive systems, and require significant computing and control efforts, leading to potential inaccuracies and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a manipulator with delta kinematic or parallel kinematic robot capabilities, equipped with sensors for real-time detection and calibration, to handle piece goods as closed formations, allowing for precise positioning and alignment without gaps, using edge scanners or cameras for spatial coordinate detection and continuous recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If piece goods are conveyed using traditional conveyor belts with speed differences and intermediate conveyor belts for grouping, then piece goods can be transferred and assembled into layers, but high mechanical stresses act on the piece goods and the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical conveyor belt systems with a robot manipulator that uses sensors and control algorithms to detect and position piece goods. The robot detects the position of piece goods using optical sensors or cameras, calculates required movements, and executes precise positioning without mechanical contact forces from multiple conveyor belts, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that includes sensors, position detection devices, and calculation units. This intermediary layer between the piece goods and the manipulator enables precise detection and positioning without requiring complex mechanical conveyor systems, reducing both device complexity and mechanical stress on piece goods
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple conveyor belts with controllable drives are used for spacing and rotation of packaged goods, then desired spacing and positioning can be achieved, but the structure becomes expensive and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple mechanical conveyor belts with controllable drives with a single robot manipulator system. The manipulator uses sensors and position detection to achieve precise positioning of piece goods without the complexity of multiple synchronized conveyor systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors and position detection devices that continuously monitor the position of piece goods. The control unit uses this feedback information to calculate and adjust the manipulator's movements in real-time, achieving precise positioning without requiring complex mechanical conveyor systems with multiple controllable drives
3Productivity
If piece goods are handled with abrupt changes in speed or direction on roller conveyors, then grouping and layer formation can be achieved, but correspondingly high mechanical stresses act on the piece goods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical conveyor systems that cause abrupt speed changes and directional shifts with a robot manipulator that uses controlled movement and positioning. The manipulator detects piece good positions using sensors and executes smooth, calculated movements without abrupt mechanical forces, reducing harmful mechanical stress while maintaining grouping efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic control of the robot manipulator to adapt its movement to the actual position and state of piece goods. The control unit calculates optimal movement paths and speeds in real-time, enabling efficient grouping without the abrupt mechanical stresses caused by fixed conveyor belt speed changes and directional shifts
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
Enables precise, reliable, and efficient handling of piece goods with reduced mechanical stresses and cycle times, maintaining high positioning accuracy and throughput while minimizing computational and control efforts.
Implementation Method 1
spatial coordinates and/or position values for the piece goods of the closed formation that is arranged first in the transport direction are ascertained by means of a sensor device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and device for handling piece goods (2) which are moved one after another and are transported to a capture area (4) of at least one manipulator (5). In the capture area, at least one transported piece good (2) is captured by the at least one manipulator (5) from the closed formation (F) in a clamping and/or force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, separated physically from the following piece goods (2) of the closed formation (F) and moved into a defined relative target position (P1) and/or target alignment with respect to following piece goods (2). At least spatial coordinates and/or a position of the piece good (2), which is located in the frontmost position in the direction of transport (TR), of the closed formation (F) transported to the capture area (4) and/or spatial coordinates and/or a position of at least one contour edge (30) pointing forward in the direction of transport (TR) of the closed formation (F) transported to the capture area (4) are detected by sensors and are provided as a position value to a control and/or evaluation unit (15) in order to control the movement of the at least one manipulator (5) in the capture area (4) on the basis of said data.