Modular SCARA Robotic Top Loading Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic article handling systems for top load case packing are expensive, require robust support, are not easily reconfigurable, and occupy significant floor space, limiting their versatility and efficiency in article collection and grouping operations.
Innovation Solution
A modular robotic top loading assembly with a SCARA arm and a collector assembly featuring dual clamps and pivotable arm joints, allowing for efficient two-dimensional clamping and flexible article handling paths, reducing the footprint and enhancing payload capacity and handling speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If articulated arms are used for article collection and top loading, then article handling capability is achieved, but device cost increases and floor space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into modular components: a SCARA arm for positioning and a separate collector assembly for article gathering. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module, reducing overall system cost while maintaining handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The SCARA arm is designed to perform multiple functions including article collection, grouping, and top-loading operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate articulated arms for each operation, reducing device cost and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If articulated arms are used for article collection and top loading, then article handling capability is achieved, but floor space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from floor-mounted articulated arms to an overhead SCARA configuration that operates in three-dimensional space. This dimensional change allows article handling without occupying significant floor space, as the SCARA arm operates vertically above the article flow.
3Productivity
If traditional robotic systems are used for top loading, then article packing is achieved, but reconfigurability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The collector assembly incorporates movable and adjustable components that can be reconfigured for different article types and packaging requirements. This dynamic design maintains high packing productivity while enabling easy adaptation to various products.
Data Source
AI summary
A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.