Robotic End Effector With Compliant Diaphragm for Variable-Shape Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling articles such as luggage and packages are inefficient, costly, and prone to errors, injuries, and damages, particularly due to the varied sizes and shapes of these items, which complicate transportation and handling processes in various environments.
Innovation Solution
A robotic end effector with an extendable arm, capture device, and actuatable article engagement system, featuring a guide member with slidable rods and a biasing member, allows for secure acquisition and manipulation of articles by countering external forces, using an actuatable article engagement device to interface with and move articles into the capture device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robotic end effector with capture device is used to handle articles, then handling efficiency and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic end effector is divided into distinct functional modules: an extendable arm for positioning, a capture device with guide members and rods for securing articles, and an actuatable article engagement device for manipulation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to improve handling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture device is designed with guide members and slidable rods that can accommodate articles of various sizes and shapes. The actuatable article engagement device can interface with different article types through multiple engagement modes, enabling the system to handle diverse articles efficiently without requiring multiple specialized devices.
2Reliability
If actuatable article engagement device is used to interface with articles, then handling reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The article engagement device incorporates actuatable components that can dynamically adjust their engagement state based on the article being handled. The slidable rods and guide members can move between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the system to adapt to different article characteristics and maintain reliable handling through controlled actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuatable article engagement device incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that provide feedback on engagement status and article characteristics. This feedback enables the system to adjust engagement forces and positions in real-time, improving handling reliability by adapting to variations in article size, shape, and material properties.
3Manufacturing precision
If capture device with guide member and rods is used, then article capture accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members act as intermediary elements between the robotic arm and the article, providing precise guidance for article positioning. The slidable rods serve as intermediaries that transmit and distribute capture forces evenly across the article surface, improving capture accuracy by mediating the interaction between the robotic system and the handled object.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture device incorporates flexible guide members and rod structures that can adapt to slight variations in article geometry while maintaining precise capture. The flexibility of these components allows them to conform to different article shapes while still providing accurate positioning and secure capture through controlled deformation.
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
The solution enables efficient, safe, and reliable handling of diverse articles by overcoming external forces, reducing delays and damages, and enhancing operational efficiency in handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member associated with the one or more rods and configured to bias the one or more rods in a first direction relative to the guide member
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure sets forth a robotic end effector for acquiring and managing an article, such as an item of luggage. The robotic end effector can include an extendable arm comprising a first support member, a capture device comprising a guide member having a plurality of apertures formed therein with a rod slideably supported in each aperture of the guide member. The capture device can further include a biasing member associated with one or more rods and being configured to bias the one or more rods in a first direction relative to the guide member. The article interface system can include an actuatable article engagement device. The actuatable article engagement device can itself include an article interface surface. The actuatable article engagement device can be operated to interface with an article to facilitate movement of the article toward the capture device.