Robotic Handling System for Sausage Rod Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transporting, removing, or inserting longitudinal rod-like elements in sausage production lines face challenges in ensuring correct alignment and insertion into storage frames, leading to potential damage to sausage products.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a robotic device and parallel guidances to align and position rod-like elements accurately, employing gripping carriages and sliders to move the elements along the guidances, and using sensors and cameras for precise alignment and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rod-like elements are transported manually or with simple mechanisms, then the system complexity is low, but the alignment precision and reliability of insertion are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic device as an intermediary between the storage frame and the rod-like elements. This robotic device includes a gripper mechanism that precisely grasps the rod-like elements and positions them for insertion. The robot acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between simple transport and precise alignment, enabling accurate positioning without requiring complex mechanical guidance systems throughout the entire transport path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment mechanisms (such as fixed guides, rails, and manual positioning devices) with a robotic system that uses sensors, control algorithms, and programmable motion. Instead of relying on purely mechanical means to achieve alignment, the system uses a robotic arm with controlled degrees of freedom, allowing for dynamic and precise positioning that adapts to different rod-like element configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single specific storage frame size is used, then the handling system is simplified, but the adaptability to different sausage product sizes and types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability in the handling system through the robotic device. The robot can dynamically adjust its gripping force, positioning coordinates, and insertion depth based on the detected characteristics of the rod-like elements and storage frame. This dynamic control allows the same robotic system to handle various sizes and types of storage frames without requiring physical reconfiguration or multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (such as gripper position, insertion speed, alignment offset) based on the detected characteristics of the rod-like elements and storage frame. Sensors detect the dimensions and position of the storage frame, and the control system adjusts the robotic parameters accordingly, enabling the same hardware to adapt to different storage frame sizes and configurations.
3Reliability
If rod-like elements are moved without precise alignment control, then the transport speed is high, but the risk of damage to sausage products during insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device performs preliminary alignment actions before the actual insertion of the rod-like element into the storage frame. The robot first positions the rod-like element in the correct orientation and location, then executes the insertion motion. This preliminary positioning ensures that the insertion is performed accurately, preventing damage to the sausage products while maintaining efficient transport through automated sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect the position, orientation, and status of the rod-like elements during transport and insertion. The control system uses this feedback information to make real-time adjustments to the robotic motion, ensuring accurate alignment and gentle insertion that prevents product damage while maintaining overall transport efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a handling system for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements.