Robot Gripper Pinches Container Top to Handle Closely Stacked Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container-carrying devices, such as those described in Japanese Patent No. 4615015, are unable to hold and carry top-open box containers when they are arranged close to each other due to the need for gaps on both sides and difficulty in discharging cargo from tilted containers.
Innovation Solution
A container-carrying device comprising a robot with a base unit, slide base units, and holding units that can pinch and hold the container by engaging with both inner and outer surfaces, allowing for vertical and horizontal movement to lift and support the container, enabling it to be carried and unloaded even when containers are closely arranged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an openable/closable holding unit is used to hold a container, then the container can be held and carried, but gaps for inserting the holding unit must be formed on both sides of the container, making it impossible to hold containers arranged close to each other
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the holding unit into gaps on the sides of the container (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the holding unit approach the container from the top and engage with the upper end of the container. This allows the holding unit to grasp the container without requiring lateral gaps, enabling it to handle containers arranged closely together.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional lateral insertion approach (requiring gaps on both sides) to a three-dimensional approach where the holding unit descends vertically from above to engage the container's upper end. This dimensional change eliminates the need for lateral clearance, allowing the device to handle closely arranged containers.
2Reliability
If an openable/closable holding unit is positioned above the opening of the container to hold it, then the container can be held, but the opening is substantially closed, making it difficult to discharge cargo through the opening even when the container is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit is designed to engage only with the upper end of the container rather than covering the entire opening. This localized engagement maintains the openness of the container's top, allowing cargo to be discharged through the opening while the container is held and tilted by the holding unit.
3Ease of operation
If gaps are formed on both sides of the container for inserting the holding unit, then the container can be held by the openable/closable holding unit, but a plurality of containers cannot be arranged close to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach of lateral insertion by having the holding unit approach from the top vertically downward to engage the upper end of the container. This eliminates the need for lateral gaps, allowing containers to be arranged closely together while maintaining ease of holding 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 the secure holding and carrying of top-open box containers, allowing for efficient loading and unloading of multiple containers stacked closely, and facilitates easy discharge of cargo by maintaining the container's opening, thus overcoming the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a first slide unit slidable along the first slide base unit; a holding unit which is attached to the first slide unit and which holds the upper end of one side of the container
Implementation Method 2
a second slide base unit which is attached to the base unit, which is in parallel to the bottom surface of the container, and which extends perpendicular to the first slide base unit; a second slide unit slidable along the second slide base unit; and a receiving unit which is attached to the second slide unit and which receives the bottom surface of the container
Implementation Method 3
the holding unit holds the container by pinching the inner surface and the outer surface thereof and holding by friction
Data Source
AI summary
A container-carrying device includes: a first slide base unit; a first slide unit; a holding unit; a second slide base unit; a second slide unit; and a receiving unit. The robot is operated to position the holding unit at the upper end of one side unit of the container so that the holding unit holds the upper end, the first slide unit is made to slide upward along the first slide base unit to raise the container. The second slide unit is made to slide along the second slide base unit to insert the receiving unit below the bottom of the container, thereby taking out the container.