Mobile Robotic Picking Platform With Retractable Camera Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems for order preparation in logistics are bulky, inflexible, and require significant space, making them difficult to move and reconfigure within a warehouse, with complex electrical connections leading to lengthy and expensive installations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile article processing device with a robotic arm and a deployable/retractable support structure that allows the camera to acquire images of containers, enabling a compact design suitable for standard containers and easy transport, and includes a chassis with a vacuum gripper and control unit for flexible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robotic system uses a permanently anchored chassis and support structure, then the system provides stable operation and reliable image acquisition, but the system becomes bulky and difficult to move within the warehouse
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is made movable relative to the chassis through a articulation mechanism allowing it to pivot between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic configuration enables the system to transition from a stable operational state to a compact transport state, resolving the contradiction between stability during operation and mobility during transport.
2Measurement precision
If the support structure is extended to allow camera acquisition of container images, then image acquisition capability is improved, but the device volume increases making it difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporating the camera is articulated to pivot between extended and retracted positions. When extended, the camera can acquire images of containers; when retracted, the overall device volume is minimized for transport. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between measurement capability and compactness.
3Manufacturing precision
If the robotic arm is mounted on a fixed support structure, then the system provides stable and precise article handling, but the system requires complex electrical connections and lengthy installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a mobile chassis unit containing the robotic arm and control systems, and a separate articulating support structure with camera. This segmentation allows the main robotic unit to be transported and installed independently, reducing installation complexity while maintaining handling precision through the modular connection.
4Reliability
If the camera is mounted on a fixed support structure, then the system provides stable image acquisition, but the system becomes inflexible and difficult to reconfigure
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with articulation capability allowing it to pivot between different positions. This dynamic design enables the camera to be repositioned for different acquisition angles and configurations while maintaining stable image acquisition during operation, thus providing both reliability and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Mobile article handling device (10) comprising: - a chassis (20), - a robotic arm (50) mounted on the chassis (20) and equipped at its end with a gripping member (51), the robotic arm (50) being configured to grasp and/or place an article in an internal volume of at least one container (110) disposed near said chassis (20), - a support structure (30) mounted on the chassis (20), - at least one camera (40) fixed on the support structure (30), characterized in that the support structure (30) is mobile between a deployed configuration (CD) in which the camera (40) is able to acquire an image of the internal volume of the container (110) and a retracted configuration (CE) in which the article handling device (10) has a smaller volume compared to the deployed configuration (CD).