Robotic Gripper With Variable Spacing For Continuous Stack Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling stackable articles, such as frozen hamburger patties, face inefficiencies in processing and stacking, particularly in continuous conveyor systems, as they often require stopping the conveyor to stack articles, leading to inefficiencies and potential misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of robotic actuators and gripping devices with variable gripper mechanism spacing, allowing for continuous handling and transfer of stackable articles by determining attributes like number, weight, and length, and adjusting spacing to match container dimensions, enabling efficient stacking and discharge without conveyor interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to handle stackable articles on a conveyor, then articles can be transported, but the conveyor must be stopped to stack articles, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous stacking of articles onto containers while the conveyor operates without interruption. The robotic manipulator continuously picks articles from moving conveyor segments and places them on containers, eliminating idle time and maintaining constant productive action throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic manipulator serves as an intermediary between the conveyor and containers, transferring articles while the conveyor continues moving. This intermediary device allows the conveyor to maintain its motion while articles are systematically transferred to containers, preventing the need for conveyor stoppage.
2Productivity
If the conveyor runs continuously to improve productivity, then processing speed increases, but misalignment issues between articles and containers occur
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors detect the position and attributes of articles on the moving conveyor, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of the robotic manipulator's picking and placing operations, ensuring precise alignment with containers even as the conveyor continues to move at high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic positioning and adjustment mechanisms that adapt to the continuous motion of the conveyor. The robotic manipulator and container positioning systems can dynamically adjust their positions and speeds to maintain proper alignment with the moving articles, ensuring precision despite continuous conveyor operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed gripper spacing is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different container dimensions, reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper mechanisms incorporate adjustable spacing capabilities, allowing the distance between gripping points to be dynamically changed to match different container dimensions and article configurations. This dynamic adjustability enables the same device to handle multiple container types without sacrificing structural feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters of the gripper mechanisms, specifically the spacing between gripping elements, to adapt to different container sizes and article arrangements. This parameter adjustment allows versatile handling of various container types while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that can accommodate these changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for processing stackable articles, such as, frozen hamburgers or compact disks, are provided. The systems include mechanisms for determining the number of articles in a stack of articles, a transfer device adapted to transfer the articles when the number of articles equals a predetermined number of articles, a gripping device adapted to receive the stacks of articles from the transfer device, an automated manipulator adapted to transfer the gripping device with the stacks of articles, and a mechanism for discharging the stacks of articles from the gripping device to, for example, a container. The systems and methods may also provide staging areas adapted to receive the stack of articles and then transfer the stack of articles to the gripping device. Though aspects of the invention may be uniquely adapted to handle food items, aspects of the invention may also be used for non-food items.