Directional Produce Packaging Robot for Fast Precise Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging devices for vegetables and fruit require complex systems and operations to achieve directional packaging, limiting flexibility and processing capacity due to mass inertia and alignment constraints.
Innovation Solution
A packaging device with a feed system, measuring and positioning path, directing system, and packaging robot with a transport rotation mechanism and robot arm, capable of measuring product properties, orienting products, and setting them down in a desired orientation using a longitudinal shaft and transverse displacement, controlled by a controller for efficient packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional directing apparatus and packaging devices are used to achieve directional packaging, then product orientation can be achieved, but device complexity increases due to various operations and sub-systems being required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the directing function and packaging function into a single integrated device. The directing apparatus includes directing elements that guide products along a transport path while simultaneously positioning them for packaging, eliminating the need for separate directing and packaging sub-systems. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve precise product orientation and directional packaging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If XYZ robots are used for flexible handling of different products and packagings, then adaptability increases, but device mass and inertia increase, limiting processing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic packaging device with adjustable directing elements and a controllable transport path. The directing elements can be repositioned and reconfigured to accommodate different product types, sizes, and packaging requirements without requiring a completely different robot system. This dynamic adjustability provides flexibility for handling various products while maintaining a lighter, more agile device structure that achieves higher processing capacity compared to heavy XYZ robots.
3Ease of operation
If packagings are aligned with the transport path to simplify the packaging process, then ease of operation improves, but adaptability for handling different products and packagings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transport path into multiple segments with independently controllable directing elements. Each segment can be adjusted to handle different packaging orientations and configurations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple operation for each individual packaging type while providing overall adaptability for handling diverse products and packagings by reconfiguring the directed path segments.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a packaging device (2) and sorting system for directional packaging of products, such as vegetables and fruit, and a method therefor. The packaging device according to the invention comprises: —a feed system (4) configured to feed products (P) and a packaging transport system for supplying and discharging packagings; —at least one measuring and positioning path (12) connected operatively to the feed system for transporting products in a transport direction; —a measuring system (18) connected operatively to the at least one measuring and positioning path and configured to measure properties of the product; —a directing system (16) for directing the product on the at least one measuring and positioning path in a suitable pick-up orientation for the product; —a packaging robot (32) comprising a product pick-up element, wherein the packaging robot is provided with a robot arm, comprising: —transport rotation mechanism; and—a robot arm displacing mechanism; and—the packaging device comprising a controller for controlling the measuring system, the directing system and the packaging robot.