Circular Parts Feeding Layout With Robot Nested Inside Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parts feeding systems occupy excessive space due to the robot being installed outside the disk-shaped conveyance carrier, which increases the overall system footprint.
Innovation Solution
The robot is positioned inside the conveyance carrier, specifically with its rotational axis located at the center of the conveyance carrier, allowing it to follow the movement of workpieces without complex coordinate calculations, and the system includes a disk-shaped conveyance carrier where workpieces are fed from the inside, reducing the overall system size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot is installed outside the disk-shaped conveyance carrier, then the robot can easily access workpieces, but the system occupies excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is positioned inside the disk-shaped conveyance carrier, with the robot base located at the center of the conveyance carrier. This nested configuration allows the robot to access workpieces on the conveyance carrier surface while being contained within the same footprint, thereby reducing the overall system area without compromising accessibility.
2Area of stationary object
If the robot is positioned inside the conveyance carrier, then the occupied area is reduced, but complex coordinate calculations are required for control
Solution Approach 1:
The robot base is positioned at the center of the disk-shaped conveyance carrier, creating a symmetric configuration where the robot can access any point on the conveyance carrier surface through radial movement. This central positioning simplifies the coordinate transformation requirements compared to off-center positioning, as the robot's motion can be described using simple polar coordinates (radial distance and angular position) relative to the center, reducing computational complexity while maintaining compact footprint.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration minimizes the occupied area of the parts feeding system, enabling space-saving design and simplifying programming and control by eliminating the need for complex coordinate calculations, while ensuring accurate workpiece handling.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating bowl feeder having a bowl that conveys and feeds the stored workpiece along a conveying path while aligning the stored workpiece by vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A parts feeding system includes: a conveyance carrier having an arc shape including a circular shape or an elliptic arc shape including an elliptic shape for conveying a workpiece; a parts feeder feeding the workpiece to the conveyance carrier; and a robot fixed at a base end thereof and picking up the workpiece on the conveyance carrier at a tip end thereof. The robot has a plurality of arm members rotating around rotational axes, and a first rotational axis at the most basal end side is located inside a virtual circle or a virtual ellipse of the conveyance carrier.