Robot Arm Gripping Apparatus for High-Wire Hook Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The labor-intensive and monotonous process of manually relocating high-wire hooks in horticulture to adjust the hanging height of high-wire crops is inefficient and prone to errors, especially in unpleasant environments, leading to potential damage to crops and increased cultivation time.
Innovation Solution
A gripping apparatus with a robot arm and protuberance mechanism that securely grips and relocates high-wire hooks without touching the rope, using a processing unit to actuate the robot arm for precise rotational and translational movements, allowing for efficient adjustment of the hook's position without damaging the rope or causing crop damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual workers relocate high-wire hooks, then the crops can be adjusted to changing conditions, but the process is labor-intensive and monotonous leading to errors and crop damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical relocation process with an automated robot arm system. The robot arm, controlled by a processing unit, performs the relocation tasks that were previously done manually by workers, thereby increasing productivity and reducing errors caused by manual labor in unpleasant environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the robot arm autonomously relocates high-wire hooks without continuous human intervention. The processing unit controls the robot arm to perform detection, gripping, and relocation operations independently, reducing labor intensity and improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If workers manually grab and relocate high-wire hooks, then position adjustment is achieved, but the rope wrapped around the hook may be damaged or intertwined with crops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized gripping mechanism with a protuberance that acts as an intermediary between the robot arm and the high-wire hook. This protuberance inserts into the loop of the hook without touching the wrapped rope, allowing position adjustment while preventing rope damage. The gripping mechanism serves as a mediator that enables operation without direct contact with the fragile rope.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism is designed with specific local features - a protuberance that fits into the loop opening - to concentrate the gripping force on the hook's loop rather than the wrapped rope. This localized gripping approach allows position adjustment while protecting the rope from damage, as the force is applied only where needed for manipulation.
3Extent of automation
If the robot arm grips the high-wire hook, then automated relocation is achieved, but the gripping mechanism must be precise to avoid damaging the rope
Solution Approach 1:
The protuberance on the gripping mechanism serves as a precise intermediary that inserts into the loop of the high-wire hook. This design provides a reliable gripping point that is easily located and engaged by the robot arm, reducing the precision requirements for the gripping mechanism while enabling automated relocation. The protuberance acts as a mediator that simplifies the gripping action.
4Productivity
If high-wire hooks are relocated to adjust hanging height, then crop growth optimization is achieved, but the process increases cultivation time when done manually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical relocation process with an automated robot arm system that can quickly and efficiently relocate high-wire hooks. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual labor while maintaining the ability to adjust hanging height for optimal crop growth, thereby increasing overall cultivation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm system enables continuous and uninterrupted relocation operations compared to manual work. The automated system can continuously monitor and adjust hook positions without the breaks and limitations of manual labor, maintaining continuous useful action that optimizes crop growth while reducing total relocation time.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment a gripping apparatus is disclosed to relocate a high-wire hook comprising a pair of opposite loops for wrapping there around a rope; and a pair of suspension hooks, a respective hook located in the proximity of a respective loop, for hanging the high-wire hook on a hanging wire; whereby the high-wire hook is configured to support a high-wire crop in horticulture by hanging the high-wire hook by one of the suspension hooks on the hanging wire; and whereby the rope wrapped around the loops supports an ending of the high-wire crop; and wherein the gripping apparatus comprises a gripping mechanism comprising a protuberance; a robot arm coupled to the gripping mechanism; and a processing unit operatively coupled to the robot arm; and wherein the processing unit actuates the robot arm to insert the protuberance in one of the loops for relocating the high-wire hook.