Overhead Conveying Gripper Abnormality Detection by Accelerometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead transport vehicles face challenges in reliably detecting abnormalities, such as misalignment or excessive impact, during the gripping operation, which can lead to errors and failures in handling containers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an accelerometer on the gripper unit and a control device that recognizes the lifting operation state and determines abnormalities based on the accelerometer's detection results, allowing for reliable detection of issues before and during the gripping process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the center cone is used to detect gripping position, then the gripping operation can be automated, but false detection of abnormalities may occur due to misalignment or contact with other flange parts
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer serves as an intermediary device that indirectly detects the gripping state by measuring acceleration changes, rather than directly detecting the center cone position. This mediator provides more reliable abnormality detection because acceleration patterns are harder to falsify compared to center cone position detection, which can be misled by misalignment or contact with other flange parts.
2Measurement precision
If the center cone position is monitored to detect gripping state, then the system can recognize gripping position, but errors may occur before the gripper unit rises due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer detects acceleration changes during the lowering process before the gripping operation is executed. This preliminary detection allows the system to identify misalignment or abnormalities before the gripper unit closes on the container, preventing errors that would occur if only center cone position monitoring were used.
3Measurement precision
If only accelerometer detection is used to determine abnormalities, then detection sensitivity increases, but false positives may occur without considering lifting operation state
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts abnormality determination based on the lifting operation state. Different acceleration thresholds and evaluation criteria are applied depending on whether the gripper is lowering, gripping, or rising. This dynamic approach maintains high detection sensitivity while reducing false positives by contextualizing acceleration data within the current operational phase.
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 solution enables the overhead transport vehicle to reliably detect and prevent abnormalities, ensuring proper gripping operations and avoiding excessive impact or failure, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of container handling.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer mounted on the gripper unit; and a control device configured to recognize a lifting operation state of the gripper unit and determine presence or absence of an abnormality in the gripper unit based on the lifting operation state and a detection result of the accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead transport vehicle includes: a traveling part configured to travel along a traveling rail; a lifting part provided in the traveling part; a gripper unit configured to be raised and lowered by the lifting part and grip an article; an accelerometer mounted on the gripper unit; and a control device configured to recognize a lifting operation state of the gripper unit and determine presence or absence of an abnormality in the gripper unit based on the lifting operation state and a detection result of the accelerometer.