Optically Marked Gripping Element for Flexible Cable Harness Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible components like cable harnesses, which are changeable in form, pose challenges for automated handling by robots due to difficulties in detecting orientation and safe gripping, leading to errors and inconsistent product quality in industrial assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A gripping element with an optically detectable marker and a rigid, pressure-resistant design that allows for accurate orientation detection and robust gripping by a robot, featuring a geometrically simple shape and potentially asymmetrical or graphic markers, enabling reliable image recognition and secure grasping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a fixed contact force is selected for the gripper when grasping a flexible component, then the gripping force is sufficient to hold the component, but the component may be damaged due to excessive gripping pressure
Solution Approach 1:
A gripping element is introduced as an intermediary between the gripper and the flexible component. This gripping element has a rigid, pressure-resistant design that can withstand high gripping forces without deforming or damaging the flexible component. The gripping element absorbs the mechanical stress, allowing the gripper to apply sufficient force to maintain a secure grip while preventing direct transmission of excessive pressure to the flexible component.
2Extent of automation
If an automated optical detection system is used to identify component orientation, then automation is improved, but error-free identification is difficult due to the component's changeable form
Solution Approach 1:
An optically detectable marker is attached to the gripping element, serving as an intermediary reference object for the optical detection system. This marker has a well-defined, stable geometric shape that is easy for the optical system to recognize and interpret, providing reliable orientation information even when the flexible component itself has an irregular or changing form. The marker acts as a stable reference that bridges the gap between the automated detection system and the variable geometry of the flexible component.
Solution Approach 2:
The optically detectable marker may utilize optical properties such as color, reflectivity, or other visual characteristics that are easily distinguishable by the optical detection system. These optical features enhance the marker's detectability and enable accurate orientation identification, allowing the automated system to reliably determine component orientation despite the flexible component's changeable form.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual assembly processes are used to handle flexible components, then safe handling without damage is achieved, but product quality is inconsistent and error rates are high
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping element with its rigid, pressure-resistant design serves as a mediator that enables automated handling to achieve the same protective effect as manual handling. By absorbing and distributing gripping forces, the gripping element prevents damage to the flexible component while allowing automated robots to perform handling operations with consistent, repeatable forces, thereby improving product quality consistency and reducing error rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical handling with automated robotic handling guided by optical detection. The gripping element enables this substitution by providing a stable interface that can be reliably gripped by automated robots, while the optically detectable marker enables the robot to locate and orient the component accurately. This substitution maintains the safety and care of manual handling while achieving the consistency and reliability of automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping element for arrangement on a component, wherein the component, in particular a cable harness, is of flexible design and has a changeable form, wherein the gripping element has at least one optically detectable marker via which a spatial orientation of the gripping element is detectable by an optical recognition device, and wherein the gripping element is grippable by a gripper.