Portable Lifting Device Position Detection for Wide Stacking Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workpiece lifting devices are fixed and cannot efficiently handle wide stacking areas with multiple types of workpieces, leading to inefficiencies in loading processes.

Innovation Solution

A device determination system that includes a portable assistance device, such as a workpiece lifting device, equipped with indicators for position and orientation detection, using an image capturing device and control system to accurately determine and arrange the device's position and orientation in a stacking area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fixed workpiece lifting device is provided at a fixed position, then the device structure is simple, but the stacking area cannot be efficiently utilized and loading efficiency decreases when the stacking area is wide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoiddevice arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece lifting device is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned to different locations in the stacking area. The control device determines optimal arrangement positions and orientations based on workpiece locations, enabling the lifting device to dynamically adapt to different stacking configurations and maximize loading efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The portable workpiece lifting device can serve multiple workpiece groups at different locations in the stacking area, rather than being dedicated to a single fixed position. This multi-functional capability allows one lifting device to replace multiple fixed devices, improving space utilization while maintaining loading efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple workpiece lifting devices are arranged at multiple locations, then loading efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to accurately determine the arrangement position and orientation of portable devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidarrangement position and orientation determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

An image capturing device is introduced as an intermediary to detect the arrangement position and orientation of the portable workpiece lifting device. The control device processes the captured images to accurately determine the device's position and orientation, solving the measurement problem without requiring complex direct measurement systems on the lifting device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical or manual method of determining device position and orientation is replaced with an optical detection system. The image capturing device captures visual information, and the control device processes this information to precisely determine arrangement parameters, achieving high measurement precision through optical-electrical conversion rather than mechanical measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If the stacking area is divided into multiple locations with different workpiece types, then space utilization is improved, but a fixed lifting device cannot handle multiple workpiece groups efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking area utilizationVSAvoidworkpiece handling versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device transitions from a fixed configuration to a movable, reconfigurable system. The control device calculates optimal arrangement positions and orientations based on the distribution of different workpiece types across the stacking area, enabling the lifting device to adapt to various workpiece groups and maximize space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The arrangement parameters (position and orientation) of the lifting device are made variable rather than fixed. The control device determines these parameters based on workpiece group locations and characteristics, allowing the device to change its configuration to handle different workpiece types efficiently across the divided stacking area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4290458B1Device determination system, device determination method, and device determination program
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 AMADA CO LTD
  • EP4290458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4290458B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4290458B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A device determination system includes an assistance device configured to assist a work for a workpiece stacked in a stacking area and having portability so as to be freely arranged, an image capturing device capable of capturing an image of the stacking area, and a control device configured to determine an arrangement position and an arrangement orientation of the assistance device in the stacking area based on the captured image captured by the image capturing device, in which the assistance device includes an indicator by which a position and an orientation of the assistance device reflected in the captured image can be identified, and the control device detects the indicator included in the captured image so as to determine the arrangement position and the arrangement orientation.