Pivotable End-of-Arm Tool for Repositioning Soft Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic arms face challenges in loading soft-sided items into cases due to shifting and uneven surfaces, leading to inefficient packing and reduced capacity, as existing fixed end-of-arm tools cannot effectively reposition items once they have slipped out of place.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable end-of-arm tool with a hinged base and actuator allows for controlled orientation and movement of items, using suction or vacuum technology to grasp irregular surfaces, and pivots to push out-of-position items back into place, ensuring proper alignment and efficient packing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed end-of-arm tool is used to place items in a case, then the tool structure is simple, but the tool cannot reposition items that have shifted out of position
Solution Approach 1:
The end-of-arm tool incorporates a pivotable base that can rotate between a horizontal position (for grasping items) and an angled position (for pushing items). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same tool to perform both item placement and item repositioning functions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Productivity
If items are placed quickly into the case, then productivity is high, but items may shift and become out of position
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable base is pre-configured in the horizontal position during the high-speed item placement phase, allowing rapid deposition. When shifting is detected, the base pivots to the angled position to perform corrective pushing action. This preliminary configuration strategy enables the system to maintain high productivity while providing precision correction when needed.
3Quantity of substance
If the case size is increased to accommodate shifted items, then all items can be placed, but the use of case space becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses vision systems or sensors to detect item positioning accuracy after placement. When items are detected to be out of position, the pivotable base receives feedback and automatically adjusts by pivoting to push items back into correct positions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal case space utilization without requiring oversized cases.
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
The pivotable end-of-arm tool effectively repositions items, optimizing the use of case space by allowing the robotic arm to correctly place items, even when they have shifted, thereby increasing the number of items that can be loaded and maintaining case size.
Implementation Method 1
using suction or vacuum technology to grasp irregular surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An end-of-arm tool and an associated robotic arm are configured to place items (e.g., soft-sided merchandise) into a case. In an example, an end-of-arm tool is configured to grasp a surface (e.g., the top surface) of an item of merchandise and deposit the item into the case. Accordingly, as an item is deposited, the tool uses contact with that item to move previously placed items back into their preferred locations. After the penultimate item in a row of items is put in place, it may move out of position. As a final item is added to a row, the tool pivots the final item so that a side surface of the final item pushes the penultimate item into its correct position. The tool then pivots the final item to orient the top surface of the item horizontally, and places it in a predetermined position.