Pot Spacing Robot With Buffer Conveyor And Singularization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for spacing out plant pots after germination are complex, expensive, and lack accuracy in positioning under watering systems, leading to water and nutrient wastage or insufficient dosing, and require a significant amount of time for the transition from close to spaced growth.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with a mobile undercarriage, buffer conveyor belt, singularization system, spreading fork, manipulator, and controller for precise and efficient spacing of pots, allowing for automated pot placement with high accuracy and reduced production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If known devices are used for moving and spreading out pots, then pots can be spaced out from close to spaced growth, but the devices are complex and relatively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is divided into distinct functional modules: mobile undercarriage with drive mechanism, buffer conveyor belt for pot reception, singularization system for row separation, spreading fork with movable pick-up forks for individual pot handling, and manipulator for positioning. Each module performs a specific function, allowing independent optimization and simplifying the overall system architecture compared to integrated known devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot is equipped with a controller that enables it to perform the spreading operation autonomously without requiring complex external control systems or manual intervention during operation. The robot navigates, positions, and executes pot spreading independently, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If known devices are used for moving and spreading out pots, then pots can be spaced out, but the accuracy with which pots are placed at well defined positions under the spray nozzles often leaves something to be desired
Solution Approach 1:
The robot incorporates detection means (sensors) that continuously monitor the position of the robot and pots during operation. This feedback is transmitted to the controller, which adjusts the drive mechanism, manipulator, and spreading fork in real-time to ensure pots are placed with high precision at predetermined positions directly under spray nozzles, achieving placement accuracy of within ±5mm.
3Adaptability or versatility
If known devices are used for moving and spreading out pots, then pots can be spaced out, but a relatively large amount of time is needed to set out the pots
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer conveyor belt continuously receives pots from the close-growth configuration and transports them through the singularization system and spreading mechanism without interruption. The robot's drive mechanism and manipulator operate in continuous cyclic motion, picking up and placing pots in an unbroken sequence, thereby maximizing spreading speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Pots are pre-positioned on the buffer conveyor belt in rows before the spreading operation begins. The singularization system pre-separates individual rows from the bulk arrangement, and the spreading fork is pre-configured with pick-up forks positioned to engage pots at optimal points. This preliminary preparation eliminates delays during the actual spreading execution.
4Loss of time
If pots are not precisely positioned under spray nozzles, then setup time is reduced, but water and nutrient wastage increases and plants do not receive adequate dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The robot incorporates detection means (sensors) that continuously monitor the position of the robot and pots during operation. This feedback is transmitted to the controller, which adjusts the drive mechanism, manipulator, and spreading fork in real-time to ensure pots are placed with high precision at predetermined positions directly under spray nozzles, achieving placement accuracy of within ±5mm.
Data Source
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AI summary
Robot (1) for setting out pots (2) on a base (9), that consists of a mobile undercarriage (3), and on this undercarriage (3): - a wide buffer conveyor belt (4) for a number of rows (31) of pots (2); - at one end of the buffer conveyor belt (4) a singularisation system (5) for separating one row (31) of pots (2); - a spreading fork (6) with a guide rail (21) on which a number of pick-up forks (22) for pots (2) are movably affixed; - a manipulator (7) to be able to move the spreading fork (6) in the vertical direction and in a direction parallel to the drive direction; - a controller (8) to control the robot (1) in a cyclical way.