Multi-Surface Robotic Gripper Assembly for Irregular Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robots struggle to selectively grip objects with irregular shapes and sizes, often requiring force along one predetermined direction, limiting their adaptability and efficiency in handling complex tasks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multi-surface gripper assemblies, such as the L-shaped gripper, which can concurrently grasp orthogonal surfaces of objects, allowing for increased grip forces and improved transfer efficiency by optimizing motion plans and reducing package damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If robots use traditional single-direction gripping, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to objects with irregular shapes and sizes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is divided into multiple independent gripping surfaces (first gripping surface and second gripping surface) that can contact different surfaces of the object simultaneously. This segmentation allows the gripper to adapt to irregular shapes by distributing contact points across multiple object surfaces, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper transitions from single-direction gripping to multi-surface gripping by adding a second gripping surface oriented at a different angle (e.g., perpendicular) to the first surface. This dimensional change enables the gripper to handle objects with varied orientations and shapes, improving adaptability without significantly complicating the overall structure.
2Force
If robots apply force along one predetermined direction, then the control system is simple, but the grip force on irregular objects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different gripping surfaces are configured to apply force at different locations and angles on the object. The first gripping surface applies force in a first direction while the second gripping surface applies force in a second direction, creating localized force distribution that increases overall grip effectiveness on irregular objects without requiring complex control mechanisms.
3Productivity
If robots use multi-surface gripper assemblies, then the grip force and transfer efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-surface gripper assembly is designed to perform multiple gripping functions simultaneously by contacting different surfaces of the object with different gripping surfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single gripper assembly to handle various object shapes and orientations, improving transfer efficiency across different tasks while maintaining a unified structure that doesn't require separate specialized grippers for each object type.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for operating a transfer robot and a multi-surface gripper to grasp and transfer objects is disclosed.