Random Item Picking Mechanism with Low-Power Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing item picking mechanisms, such as robots, require complex sensor devices and high power consumption to determine the precise position and orientation of items, leading to increased time and inaccuracy due to occlusion and varied item appearances.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that roughly determines the position of items using minimal power, grasps a random number of items from a container, and repeats the process until the desired number is collected, without needing precise computer vision or item positioning, utilizing sensors like weight measurement and RFID technology to determine the number of items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex sensor devices are used to determine precise position and orientation of items, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for item picking (presence/absence detection) rather than using complex sensors to determine precise position and orientation. The mechanism takes out only the necessary measurement capability, avoiding unnecessary power consumption associated with high-precision sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, low-cost sensors that consume minimal power instead of expensive, high-precision sensor systems. The approach accepts lower measurement precision in exchange for significantly reduced power consumption and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If complex sensor devices are used to determine precise position and orientation of items, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement capability needed for item detection (presence/absence) rather than implementing complex sensor systems for precise position and orientation determination. This reduces device complexity while maintaining sufficient functionality for the picking task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive sensors instead of complex sensor arrays and processing systems. This approach significantly reduces device complexity while still enabling effective item detection and picking operations.
3Measurement precision
If complex sensor devices are used to determine precise position and orientation of items, then measurement precision is improved, but time required to accomplish the pick increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical measurement information (item presence/absence) needed to accomplish the picking task, eliminating time-consuming processes associated with determining precise position and orientation. This speeds up the picking operation while maintaining sufficient accuracy for the application.
4Ease of operation
If items are randomly arranged in container, then ease of operation is improved (no positioning needed), but measurement precision deteriorates (harder to determine item characteristics)
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to achieve precise item positioning to enable accurate measurement, the patent inverts the approach: items are deliberately left in random positions, and the measurement system is simplified to detect only presence/absence. This inversion resolves the contradiction by making the system robust to positional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple detection mechanisms that do not require precise item positioning. By accepting lower measurement precision and using straightforward sensors, the system achieves ease of operation with randomly arranged items without needing complex positioning and measurement infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and mechanism for picking at least one item is provided. The method includes providing at least one container, the container at least containing a plurality of substantially the same items randomly arranged within the container, providing at least one mechanism for collecting at least one item from the container, enabling the mechanism to roughly determine the position of the mechanism with respect to the items in the container utilizing the least amount of power, moving the mechanism so that it is at least in close proximity to the items in the container, collecting at least one item in the container with the mechanism, moving the mechanism and the collected at least one item at least a predetermined distance away from the remaining non-collected items in the container and determining the number of items collected by the mechanism utilizing the least amount of power.