Retractable Suction Cup End Effector for Mixed-Shape Item Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Material handling systems face inefficiencies in handling items of different body shapes, requiring multiple robotic tools and end effectors, which increases costs, occupies space, and disrupts workflow, while current end effectors struggle to grasp items of varying shapes and sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
An item manipulation system with a control system and end effector featuring a flexible suction cup and linear actuator, allowing the suction cup to extend or retract within a tube to adapt to different body shapes, and an array of item grasping tools that can selectively extend or retract to engage items based on vacuum suction force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robotic tools and end effectors are used to handle items of different body shapes, then the ability to grasp various items is improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is designed with a tube containing a flexible suction cup that can be positioned at different locations (inside or outside the tube) to handle different item types. This single multi-functional end effector replaces multiple specialized tools, allowing the system to grasp items of various body shapes including flexible items like bags and rigid items like boxes without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible suction cup is made dynamically positionable within the tube through a linear actuator. By moving the suction cup to different positions along the tube length, the end effector adapts its grasping configuration dynamically - extending outside the tube for rigid items and retracting inside for flexible items, thereby achieving versatility without adding multiple static tools
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robotic tools are deployed to handle different item shapes, then the grasping capability is improved, but the space occupation and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single end effector with a movable flexible suction cup performs the function of multiple specialized end effectors. The suction cup can be positioned inside or outside the tube depending on the item type, enabling one tool to replace several tools and thereby reducing the space required in the material handling system
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible suction cup is nested within the tube structure of the end effector. When not in use or when handling certain item types, the suction cup retracts inside the tube, minimizing the footprint. This nested configuration allows the system to maintain compact space occupation while preserving the capability to handle various item shapes
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robotic tools are used to handle different item shapes, then the adaptability is improved, but the workflow disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear actuator enables rapid dynamic repositioning of the flexible suction cup between inside and outside positions on the tube. This quick adaptability allows the system to switch between handling different item types without tool changes or reconfigurations, maintaining continuous workflow and high productivity while dealing with varying item shapes
Solution Approach 2:
The control system identifies item characteristics (such as body shape) in advance and pre-positions the flexible suction cup to the appropriate location on the tube before grasping. This preliminary positioning ensures that the end effector is already configured correctly when the item arrives, eliminating workflow disruptions and maintaining continuous operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient handling of items with varying body shapes without the need for multiple robotic tools, reducing footprint and maintaining workflow continuity, while ensuring effective grasping and maneuvering of items of different sizes and masses.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible suction cup can be configured to engage a surface of the item based on vacuum suction force generated through the flexible suction cup
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments described herein relates, to an item manipulation system that can include a control system and an end effector. The end effector can include a tube defining a channel between a first end and a second end. The tube can include, a flexible suction cup that can be disposed within the channel of the tube. In some examples, the flexible suction cup can engage a surface of the item based on suction force generated through the flexible suction cup. The end effector also includes a linear actuator that can be mechanically coupled to the flexible suction cup. The end effector can be configured to: extend, the flexible suction cup towards the second end of the channel to position at least a portion of the flexible suction cup outside the tube and retract, the flexible suction cup within the channel to position the flexible suction cup within the tube.