Mobile Picking Robot with Independent Camera Support Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing picking systems are complex to retrofit or convert for use with picking robots, as they require installation of robots, conveyor technology changes, and removal of human-oriented devices, making it difficult to adapt to varying operational needs such as peak shifts or special shifts.
Innovation Solution
A mobile order picking robot with a movable base, height-adjustable gripper arm, and independently attached support arm for a 3D camera, which can be easily rolled into operation, along with locking mechanisms for precise positioning and adaptive camera placement, allowing for flexible deployment and simplified workstation conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a picking robot is permanently installed at a picking station, then automation and efficiency are improved, but device complexity and conversion difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The picking robot is divided into separate functional modules: a mobile base unit, a gripper arm assembly, and a support arm with camera. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted, removed, or reconfigured, significantly reducing the complexity of conversion and retirement while maintaining high picking efficiency during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot employs height-adjustable mechanisms for both the gripper arm and support arm, allowing dynamic adaptation to different workstation configurations. This dynamic adjustability enables the same robot unit to be deployed across multiple picking stations with varying heights and requirements, reducing overall system complexity while preserving productivity.
2Measurement precision
If the robot is permanently installed with fixed camera positions, then automation precision is improved, but adaptability to different workstation heights and configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm carrying the camera is mounted on the mobile base in a height-adjustable manner, independent of the gripper arm. This allows the camera height to be dynamically adjusted to match different workstation configurations while maintaining precise image capture for automated picking operations, thus preserving both precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is separated from the gripper arm and mounted on its own independent support arm. This segmentation allows the camera positioning to be optimized independently for different workstation heights and configurations without affecting the gripper arm's picking precision, enabling the robot to adapt to various workstations while maintaining high measurement and picking precision.
3Reliability
If conveyor systems are modified for robot integration, then automation reliability is improved, but ease of operation and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile picking robot base is designed with universal compatibility features, including standardized locking means that can interface with various conveyor systems without requiring permanent modifications. This allows the same robot unit to be reliably deployed across multiple different picking stations and conveyor configurations, maintaining automation reliability while preserving operational flexibility and ease of deployment.
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
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AI summary
The invention relates to a picking robot (10) with a movable base (12) and a gripper arm (14) arranged on the base (12) for picking goods at a goods-to-person picking workstation (36). It is proposed that the picking robot (10) includes at least one support arm (18) attached to the base (12) independently of the gripper arm (14) for carrying at least one camera (20) for capturing image data for the picking process. This greatly simplifies the retrofitting or conversion of a picking station (22). Further aspects of the invention relate to a goods-to-person picking workstation designed for use with such a picking robot and a picking system.