Robotic Transfer Structure With Swiper Arm for Dense Container Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robots lack the sophistication to duplicate human interactions required for executing larger and/or more complex tasks, particularly in transferring and loading objects, leading to challenges such as luggage falling during transfer, limited flexibility in placement, and reduced packing density in shipping containers.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system with a coordinated transfer mechanism, incorporating a forwards-backwards conveyor and a side-to-side swiper arm, providing enhanced support and flexibility for object transfer, allowing better alignment and orientation, and increasing packing density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple conveyor system is used for object transfer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of object transfer deteriorates due to objects falling during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism is divided into multiple functional segments: a conveyor portion for initial object movement and a swiper arm portion for final placement. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific transfer phase, improving overall reliability without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The swiper arm acts as an intermediary component between the conveyor system and the final destination. It receives objects from the conveyor and provides additional control for precise placement, serving as a mediator that enhances transfer reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If traditional loading methods are used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity of loading operations deteriorates due to increased time spent loading
Solution Approach 1:
The swiper arm provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the system to adapt to different object types, sizes, and destinations. This dynamic adjustment enables faster loading operations compared to static traditional methods, while the system remains easy to operate through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic loading system is designed to handle multiple object types and destination configurations through the coordinated action of the conveyor and swiper arm. This multi-functionality increases productivity by eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for different loading scenarios.
3Device complexity
If basic transfer mechanisms are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different placement requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The swiper arm introduces dynamic positioning capability that allows the system to adapt to various placement requirements including different destinations, orientations, and stacking configurations. This dynamic adjustment provides high adaptability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic system including a transferring structure is provided. The robotic system is configured to receive objects or workpieces at a transferring structure where they are received by an object loader disposed on a robotic arm. The object loader is used to transfer the objects to a container. The robotic system is configured to receive multiple object and transfer the object to the container to pack the container. The robotic system is configured to determine a method of throwing or releasing each object into the container to permit greater packing efficiency.