Take-out Robot Load Cell Integration for On-Route Weight Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional take-out robots require additional scales and significant space for weighing injection molded products, leading to reduced productivity and increased costs due to the need for separate conveying routes and delayed product delivery.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a load cell within the rotating unit of the take-out robot allows for on-route weight measurement of injection molded products, enabling differential routing for desirable and faulty products without additional scales, thereby reducing space and facility requirements and improving conveying speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate scale and conveying route are added to measure product weight, then weight measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load cell is integrated into the robot arm structure, combining the weighing function with the existing robotic conveying system. This eliminates the need for a separate scale and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining weight measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The robot arm is designed to serve multiple functions: conveying products and measuring their weight. By equipping the robot arm with a load cell, it becomes a multi-functional device that performs both transportation and measurement tasks, reducing the need for additional dedicated equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a separate scale and conveying route are added to measure product weight, then weight measurement capability is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If weight measurement is performed using a separate scale with additional conveying route, then weight measurement capability is improved, but conveying speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement capabilityVSAvoidconveying speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The weight measurement is performed continuously during the conveying process without requiring the product to be transferred to a separate weighing station. The load cell measures weight while the robot arm is in motion, maintaining continuous productive action and eliminating idle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Measurement precision

If weight measurement is performed away from vibration sources, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement location constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The load cell is extracted from the injection molder vibration source and relocated to the robot arm, which operates in a different spatial zone. This separates the measurement system from the vibration source while maintaining measurement capability through the robot arm's structural integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This configuration reduces installation costs, enhances productivity by enabling faster conveying, prolongs the service life of the weight measurement system, and minimizes errors by measuring weights closer to the destination and away from vibration sources.

Implementation Method 1

a load cell provided in a rotating unit of the take-out robot, and a controller that controls the take-out robot, wherein the controller is configured to measure a weight of the injection molded product on a conveying route by the load cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLoad cell weight measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3002102B1Unloading robot having function of sensing weight of injected material

Publication Date: 2018.04.11 HANYANG ROBOTICS

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AI summary

Provided is a take-out robot including a load cell in a rotating unit to allow an injection molded product to be attached to an adhesive unit, measure a weight of the injection molded product on a conveying route of the take-out robot, and determine whether the injection molded product is desirable or faulty. Such a configuration of the take-out robot may be applied to reduce a cost and a space for installation and facilitate conveyance without an additional scale and a conveying route. In addition, to prevent damage to the load cell and prolong a service life of the load cell, a chucking device of measuring the weight may be installed to prevent a vertical load during the taking out and a force during the conveying from being applied to the load cell, and allow the force to be applied to the load cell only when reaching a weight measuring point. Further, a cut portion may be formed to have a stepped boundary surface in the load cell and thus, a stopper function may be performed against bending deflection of the load cell when a load is applied so that the load cell may be protected without an additional chucking device of measuring the weight.