Robot Hand Guide Portions for Object Orientation Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot hand technologies face complexity in controlling the orientation of movable objects, making it difficult to hold them in a predetermined position due to varying orientations of the objects being gripped.

Innovation Solution

A movable object holding system with a hand part featuring guide portions to limit movement in perpendicular axes and positioning portions, utilizing gravity or centrifugal force to secure the object's protruding portion within a space surrounded by the guide portions, allowing for simple and stable object holding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional robot hand gripping methods are used, then the robot hand can hold objects, but the orientation of the object cannot be kept constant and control becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidobject orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hand part is segmented into multiple functional components: guide portions (first and second guide portions) that constrain movement in specific directions, and positioning portions (first and second positioning portions) that secure the object in predetermined positions. This segmentation allows each component to independently control a specific degree of freedom, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining stable object orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide portions act as intermediaries between the object and the positioning portions. They first guide and constrain the object's movement in perpendicular directions, then transfer the object to the positioning portions which finalize the orientation control. This intermediary mechanism simplifies control by breaking down the orientation control task into manageable stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the hand part uses complex control mechanisms to maintain object orientation, then orientation stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject orientation stabilityVSAvoidhand part configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand part structure itself provides the orientation control function through its geometric configuration. The guide portions and positioning portions are arranged to automatically constrain and position the object based on their physical geometry, without requiring complex external control systems. The structure serves its own control function, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention controls object orientation by utilizing multiple spatial dimensions independently. The first guide portion constrains movement in one direction, the second guide portion constrains movement in a perpendicular direction, and the positioning portions secure the object in the third dimension. This dimensional approach simplifies control by treating each spatial axis independently rather than using complex multi-axis control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 holding of movable objects in a predetermined state with a relatively simple configuration, reducing the complexity of controlling the robot hand and arm, and improving productivity by allowing for easy storage and alignment of objects.

Implementation Method 1

the movable object is made to touch the pair of the positioning portions by applying to the movable object a gravity force or a centrifugal force generated by revolving the movable object holding part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS11511949B2Movable object holding system

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A movable object holding system for holding a movable object including a body portion 11 and a protruding portion protruding from the body portion, comprising a hand part 40 holding a movable object, the hand part 40 comprising plural guide portions limiting movement of the movable object in a first axis direction and a second axis direction that are perpendicular to each other and a pair of positioning portions 43e limiting movement of the movable object in a third axis direction that is perpendicular to the first and second axis directions, wherein the hand part 40 holds the movable object with the protruding portion of the movable object disposed in a space surrounded by the plural guide portions and touching the pair of the positioning portions 43e and with a part of the body portion of the movable object exposed out of the hand part 40.