Retractable Gripper Robot for High-Density Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robots used in material handling within factories and warehouses are limited in their ability to reach across the full height of storage shelves and can only move one item at a time, leading to underutilization of storage space and inefficiencies in item retrieval and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A robot with a gripping unit that can assume different vertical and horizontal positions, allowing it to reach items on the ground and at various heights, equipped with a gripper that can extend and retract, and a drive unit with wheels for mobility, enabling it to grasp and transport multiple items efficiently across different storage environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing robots are used for material handling, then they can transport items, but they cannot reach across the full height of storage shelves and can only move one item at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is divided into functionally independent modules: a mobile base unit and a detachable gripping unit. The gripping unit can be detached and reattached at different locations on the base, allowing the robot to adapt its reach capability while maintaining transportation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping unit is designed to extend vertically beyond the robot's body height, allowing it to reach items at various heights on storage shelves. The gripper itself can extend and retract, providing an additional dimension of reach adjustment without increasing the robot's overall footprint.
2Volume of stationary object
If existing robots are used in warehouses, then they can move items, but they lead to underutilization of storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping unit features dynamic extension and retraction capabilities, allowing it to adapt its vertical position to access items at different heights. This dynamic adjustment enables the robot to utilize upper storage spaces that would be inaccessible to fixed-height robots, thereby improving overall storage space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot is designed with universal gripping capabilities that can handle various item sizes and weights. The detachable gripping unit can be configured for different tasks, enabling the same robot to efficiently retrieve items from multiple storage locations and heights, maximizing storage space utilization across different warehouse configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a robot with extended gripping unit is designed, then it can reach more items, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping unit is extracted as a separate, detachable module from the main robot body. This allows the complex gripping and extension mechanisms to be independently designed and maintained without affecting the core robot structure. The gripping unit can be removed when not needed, simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper is designed to nest within the gripping unit housing when retracted, and the gripping unit itself can be detached from the robot base. This nested configuration minimizes the robot's footprint and structural complexity while maintaining full reach capability when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a robot (1) configured to grasp and transport items; wherein the robot (1) is configured to assume a use configuration; wherein the robot (1) comprises a frame (10) having a vertical frame projection in the use configuration; and a gripping unit (5) configured to grasp an item, wherein the gripping unit (5) has a vertical gripping unit projection in the use configuration; wherein, in the use configuration, the gripping unit (5) is configured to assume a retracted state and an extended state. The gripping unit is positioned horizontally offset with respect to the frame.