Robotic Gripping And Supporting Frames For Slab-Article Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The movement of large, slab-shaped articles is fragile and prone to breakage during transportation, especially when stored or moved with traditional frames, which can cause unbalancing, tipping, or falling, leading to increased risk and time consumption in production lines.
Innovation Solution
A piece of equipment with a robotic gripping group and supporting frame system that allows for safe and efficient movement of slab-shaped articles using a gripping group with three degrees of freedom, storage stations with inclined holding frames, and a supporting frame to stabilize and transport the articles, reducing the risk of breakage and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slab-shaped articles are moved together with their frame, then the articles are protected during transport, but the weight of stacked articles affects lower articles causing breakage or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is divided into multiple levels with individual support elements for each article. Each article rests on its own dedicated support points rather than being stacked directly on top of other articles, distributing the load and preventing deformation while maintaining protective framing.
Solution Approach 2:
Support elements act as intermediaries between stacked articles. These intermediaries distribute the weight and mechanical stress, preventing direct contact between article surfaces that would cause deformation or breakage during transport.
2Area of stationary object
If vertical frames are used for storage, then space is optimized, but articles become unstable and may tip over or fall during displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure incorporates stabilizing elements that counterbalance the weight distribution of vertically stored articles. Support arms and positioning elements are strategically placed to create counterbalancing forces that prevent tipping during movement while maintaining compact vertical storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame design allows for dynamic adjustment of support elements during movement. The structure can adapt its stability characteristics based on the movement phase, providing enhanced stabilization during displacement while maintaining space-efficient vertical configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If storage areas are located far from the production line, then logistics operations are separated, but the travel time increases the risk of breakage and reduces production performance
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides storage, protects articles during transport, and enables efficient movement between production areas. By combining these functions into a single integrated system, the design reduces travel time and breakage risk while maintaining operational separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes movement parameters including speed, acceleration, and positioning accuracy to minimize transport time between production line and storage areas. Enhanced control parameters reduce the duration of vulnerable transport phases, protecting articles while maintaining logistical efficiency.
4Reliability
If traditional frames are used for moving slab-shaped articles, then articles can be transported, but large working spaces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure employs nested configurations where support elements and articles are arranged in space-efficient layers. The design allows inner elements to be positioned within the footprint of outer elements, maximizing the use of vertical space while maintaining full transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal space utilization to vertical space utilization. By stacking articles vertically within the frame structure and using vertical movement capabilities, the design reduces the horizontal working space requirement while preserving transport functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Equipment for the logistics of slab-shaped articles comprising one supplying plane of at least one slab-shaped article, one robotic gripping group of the slab-shaped article, a (tangible) movement component/unit/device/machine (or the like) of the gripping group along one direction of movement, a plurality of temporary storage stations of the slab-shaped article, one supporting frame of the slab-shaped article supported as an integral part to the movement component/unit/device/machine, and one unloading station of the supporting frame, wherein the gripping group is adapted to: take the slab-shaped article from the supplying plane, place the slab-shaped article on one of the storage stations, and take the slab-shaped article from one of the storage stations to place it on the supporting frame.