Modular Picking Arm Assembly for Narrow Pallet Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 6-axis articulated industrial robotic arms are bulky, heavy, and require significant space and power, making them unsuitable for efficient operation in tight warehouse environments where goods are stored on pallets, as they need constant power to maintain position and pose safety risks due to their size and weight.
Innovation Solution
A robotic picking assembly with a vertically and rotatably movable arm support arrangement, featuring a horizontally extendable arm composed of linked modules that can curve in one direction, reducing the need for internal actuators and allowing operation in slim spaces with low power consumption, as the arm can be extended and retracted without requiring continuous power to maintain its position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional 6-axis articulated robotic arms are used, then they can perform complex picking operations, but they require large space and significant power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is divided into multiple modular segments (first arm module, second arm module, third arm module) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the arm to navigate through narrow spaces between pallet racks while maintaining the capability to perform complex picking operations at the destination
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system adds vertical movement capability through the arm support arrangement that can move the arm vertically along the pallet rack structure. This dimensional addition allows the robot to access items on multiple levels without requiring horizontal workspace, solving the space constraint problem
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional 6-axis articulated robotic arms are used, then they can perform complex picking operations, but they consume significant power
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm uses dynamic positioning where only the actively working segments are powered at any given time. The passive segments follow the motion of active segments through gravitational force and mechanical coupling, reducing the number of powered actuators needed simultaneously and thus lowering overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the power-intensive actuators from the distal arm segments and concentrates them in the proximal arm support arrangement. This extraction reduces the total number of powered joints from 6 to fewer actuators, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining operational capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional 6-axis articulated robotic arms are used, then they can perform complex picking operations, but they are heavy and pose safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is divided into multiple modular segments (first arm module, second arm module, third arm module) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the arm to navigate through narrow spaces between pallet racks while maintaining the capability to perform complex picking operations at the destination
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system adds vertical movement capability through the arm support arrangement that can move the arm vertically along the pallet rack structure. This dimensional addition allows the robot to access items on multiple levels without requiring horizontal workspace, solving the space constraint problem
4Length of moving object
If the arm is extended into narrow spaces, then it can access items on pallets, but it requires structural stability
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is divided into multiple modular segments (first arm module, second arm module, third arm module) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the arm to navigate through narrow spaces between pallet racks while maintaining the capability to perform complex picking operations at the destination
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system adds vertical movement capability through the arm support arrangement that can move the arm vertically along the pallet rack structure. This dimensional addition allows the robot to access items on multiple levels without requiring horizontal workspace, solving the space constraint problem
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic picking assembly (100) comprising an arm support arrangement (8) configured to move vertically and to rotate about a vertical axis. A horizontally extendable arm (1) is supported in the arm support arrangement. A gripping tool (20) arranged at a free end (1a) of the arm. The arm comprises arm modules (2) linked together in a chain. The arm modules (2) have a pivot means (4) linking adjacent arm modules together in a pivoting manner and a pivot restriction means (15, 16, 18, 19) limiting curving of the arm to only one direction. The arm support arrangement (8) has an arm guiding arrangement (25, 21, 21a, 21b, 33) guiding the arm between an extended position and a retracted position, and an arm drive arrangement (7) configured to move the arm between said extended and retracted positions.