Robot Platform Retrieval for Article Stack Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for retrieving articles from storage facilities require significant adaptation and stringent conditions, limiting flexibility and increasing the risk of failure when humans access the facility, and there is a need for a more convenient and flexible method for article retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A method and robot system that identifies and retrieves a target article from a stack by positioning a platform at the correct vertical position, repositioning the target and non-target articles horizontally onto the platform, and repositioning non-target articles back into the stack, using a vertically movable platform and repositioning device with optical sensors and identification tags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated systems are implemented for article retrieval, then productivity and labour costs are improved, but device complexity and facility adaptation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A platform is introduced as an intermediary component between the robot and the article stack. The platform simplifies the interaction by providing a standardized interface for article retrieval, reducing the complexity of direct manipulation while maintaining high productivity. The platform acts as a mediator that the robot can interact with through simple positioning and pushing actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval system is segmented into distinct functional components: the mobile robot, the platform, and the article stack. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture. The robot handles navigation and positioning, the platform handles article support and transfer, and the stack maintains article storage, thereby reducing device complexity while improving productivity.
2Productivity
If automated systems are implemented for article retrieval, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to conventional storage facilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed with universal functionality that allows it to work with various types of article stacks and storage configurations. The platform can accommodate different article sizes and stack arrangements, enabling the system to adapt to conventional storage facilities without requiring extensive modifications. The robot can navigate and position the platform in different locations within the storage facility, providing versatility while maintaining high retrieval productivity.
3Productivity
If automated systems are implemented for article retrieval, then productivity is improved, but reliability decreases due to increased risk of failure when humans access the facility
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs self-navigation and self-positioning to retrieve articles, operating autonomously without human intervention in the storage facility. This self-service capability eliminates the safety risks associated with human access while maintaining high productivity. The robot independently navigates to the platform, positions it correctly, and executes the retrieval operation, thereby improving reliability while preserving productivity gains.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an associated robot for retrieval of a target article from an article stack are disclosed. The article stack comprising the target article and a first non-target article being positioned on top of the target article, the target article being arranged in the article stack with a lower target article face being at a first vertical stack position. The method comprises: identifying the target article; positioning a platform having a platform surface in a first vertical platform position wherein the platform surface is at the first vertical stack position or below the first vertical stack position; repositioning the target article and the first non-target article in a first horizontal direction onto the platform; and repositioning the first non-target article opposite the first horizontal direction off the platform.