Robot Arm Port Alignment for Diverse Mobile Device Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing electrical connections with diverse mobile devices in reverse-logistics environments is cumbersome and hinders efficiency and throughput due to variations in device shapes, sizes, operating systems, and manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device engagement system using a robot arm with an end effector and imaging devices to capture images, determine device positions, align ports with electrical connectors, and manage force thresholds for successful coupling, enabling electronic connectivity and subsequent operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to establish electrical connections with mobile devices, then flexibility to handle diverse device types is maintained, but efficiency and throughput are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robot arm with force sensor and imaging device is designed to handle multiple types of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables) with different shapes, sizes, and connector types through a single automated system. The end effector can adapt to various device form factors, and the force sensor universally detects connection status across different device types, enabling high-throughput processing of diverse SKUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robot arm system that uses imaging devices for positioning and force sensors for connection verification. This substitution of human operators with automated mechanical systems enables consistent, high-speed connection establishment across thousands of device SKUs without the variability and limitations of manual handling.
2Reliability
If force is applied to ensure proper connection, then reliable electrical coupling is achieved, but device damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor provides real-time feedback during the connection process, allowing the robot arm to dynamically adjust the applied force. The system monitors the force required to establish the electrical connection and automatically terminates the insertion when the connection is confirmed, preventing excessive force that could damage the device. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable connections while protecting devices from damage.
3Productivity
If automated robot arm is used to improve efficiency, then throughput increases, but handling precision and adaptability to diverse devices become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves as an intermediary between the robot arm and the mobile device, capturing images to determine device position and orientation. This visual intermediary enables the robot arm to accurately locate and align with the electrical connector on diverse device types, achieving the precision needed for reliable connections while maintaining high processing speeds through automated image analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and computer program products configured to engage a mobile device with an electrical connector. Embodiments include a mobile device engagement system including one or more imaging devices, a robot arm, and at least one computing device. The one or more imaging devices are configured to capture one or more images of the mobile device. The robot arm includes an end effector configured to engage and facilitate positioning of the mobile device. The at least one computing device is configured to, using the one or more images, control the robot arm to engage the mobile device with the end effector, and control the robot arm to position and engage the mobile device with the electrical connector.