Robot Feeding Conveyor Belts With Adjustable Inclination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot feeders struggle with flexibility, as they are often designed for specific products and lack the ability to handle objects of varying shapes and sizes, leading to inefficiencies and increased production costs due to overlapping components and poor gripping precision.
Innovation Solution
A modular component featuring a closed path of conveyor belts with adjustable inclination and vibration means, combined with aligning and diverting mechanisms, and a backlighting system to enhance object recognition and gripping precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional vibrating feeders or labyrinth orienting devices are used, then object recognition and gripping precision are improved, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot handle objects of various shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable belt system where the second belt can change its inclination angle dynamically. This allows the feeder to adapt to different object shapes and sizes while maintaining proper alignment and recognition, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the second belt is varied as a controllable parameter to accommodate different object geometries. By changing this physical parameter, the system maintains both recognition precision and versatility across different object types.
2Productivity
If cylindrical or superposing pieces are fed through traditional linear/vibrational feeders, then continuous feeding is achieved, but components overlap and cannot be easily gripped by the robot
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic inclination adjustment of the second belt prevents cylindrical and superposing pieces from overlapping during transit. The adjustable angle ensures components remain separated and properly oriented for robotic gripping, maintaining both continuous feeding and gripping precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular structure with adjustable belts is implemented, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder is divided into modular sections with independent adjustable belts. This segmentation allows flexibility and adaptability while keeping each module relatively simple, managing overall device complexity through modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable belt mechanism serves multiple functions: conveying objects, aligning them for recognition, and adapting to different object geometries. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
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 flexible feeding of objects of various shapes and sizes, improving production efficiency by ensuring accurate object alignment and recognition, reducing the likelihood of overlapping components, and enhancing the robot's gripping capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a set of belts for conveying objects designed to be picked up by a robot
Implementation Method 2
having a first belt and at least a second belt positioned in such a way that the objects pass from the first belt to said at least one second belt
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a component (1) for powering robots, automation systems and the like which comprises, on a frame (2), a series of belts (3, 4) for conveying objects (9) designed to be gripped by a robot. The conveyor belts (3, 4) constitute a closed path and have a first belt (3) and at least a second belt (4) positioned in such a way that the objects (9) pass from the first belt (3) to the second belt (4) cyclically and continuously.