Robotic Object Handling With Sensor Fusion for Anomaly Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for handling and sorting objects lack efficient anomaly detection and handling capabilities, particularly in identifying misplaced, damaged, or incorrectly weighted objects, leading to potential errors in placement and processing.

Innovation Solution

A robotic arm system equipped with a force sensor and optical sensors, coupled with a computing device that analyzes force differentials and image data to detect anomalies, generates alerts, and adjusts handling based on predetermined thresholds, and uses machine learning to improve accuracy over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated handling systems are used to increase productivity, then sorting speed and efficiency improve, but anomaly detection accuracy deteriorates due to lack of human judgment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting speedVSAvoidanomaly detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where force sensor measurements are continuously compared against expected values, and optical sensors provide visual feedback for code verification. This closed-loop feedback enables the automated system to detect anomalies with high accuracy while maintaining fast sorting speeds, resolving the contradiction between productivity and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces human mechanical inspection with sensor-based detection systems. Force sensors measure weight and apply mechanical forces to detect anomalies, while optical sensors substitute human visual inspection for code reading. This substitution enables automated anomaly detection that maintains both high speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and analysis systems are added to improve anomaly detection, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanomaly detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges force sensing, optical sensing, and computational analysis into an integrated robotic handling system. The force sensor and optical sensor are combined on the robotic arm, and their data are processed together by a single computing system. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems, while maintaining high anomaly detection accuracy through multi-modal sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If force sensors and optical sensors are integrated on the robotic arm, then real-time detection capability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time detection capabilityVSAvoidrobotic arm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the actuating mechanism for object manipulation and as the mounting platform for sensing devices. The same robotic arm structure that performs picking and placing also supports the force sensor and optical sensor, eliminating the need for separate sensor mounting systems and reducing overall device complexity while enabling real-time detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230364787A1Automated handling systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 NOMAGIC SP ZOO

AI summary

Provided are systems and method for automated handling of one or more objects.