Robotic Unscrambler with Pivotable Guides for Article Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic unscramblers are inefficient in handling articles with varying sizes, geometries, contours, textures, designs, material compositions, and means of manufacture, as they require frequent changeovers and customization to maintain stable, conveyable orientations, leading to downtime and increased costs in production lines.
Innovation Solution
A robotic unscrambler system featuring a first conveyance apparatus and an uprighting device with pivotable guides that support articles, allowing pickers to place them into stable orientations, which are then transported and returned for continuous processing without interruption, accommodating a wide range of article configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a robotic arm with camera detects and picks up articles to place them in stable conveyable orientation, then articles can be oriented for conveyance, but throughput is limited because a robot can typically orient only one part at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the article handling function between the robotic picker (which places articles on guides) and the pivotable guides (which perform the uprighting and orientation). This segmentation allows the robotic arm to focus on picking and placing while the guides independently handle orientation, enabling parallel processing and increased throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable guides act as an intermediary between the robotic picker and the conveyance system. The guides receive articles from the picker, perform the uprighting and orientation functions that would otherwise require the robotic arm, and then present properly oriented articles to the conveyance system. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by separating the picking function from the orientation function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If robotic arms are customized to accommodate different article configurations, then articles of various sizes and geometries can be handled, but changeover time increases and production line downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable guides are designed with universal article support surfaces that can accommodate articles of various sizes, geometries, and configurations without requiring customization. The guides can pivot through different angles and positions to handle diverse article types, making the system multi-functional and adaptable while eliminating the need for changeovers.
Solution Approach 2:
The guides are made dynamically adjustable through their pivotable design, allowing them to adapt their orientation and configuration in real-time based on the article being handled. This dynamic capability enables the system to accommodate varying article configurations without stopping for changeovers, as the guides can be repositioned quickly and easily.
3Adaptability or versatility
If repeated gripping attempts are made to transpose articles of different geometries and materials, then articles can be oriented, but processing time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable guides serve as an intermediary that takes over the orientation function from the robotic gripper. Instead of the gripper attempting multiple times to correctly orient different article types, the guides receive the article in any orientation and mechanically upright it through pivoting motion, ensuring consistent and efficient processing regardless of article geometry or material.
Solution Approach 2:
The guides perform the uprighting and orientation function automatically once the article is placed on them, without requiring additional gripping attempts or robotic intervention. The guides self-adjust through their pivotable mechanism to achieve the desired article orientation, making the process efficient and adaptable to various article types.
Data Source
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AI summary
A robotic unscrambler apparatus is provided that ensures articles that are delivered in an initial orientation are transported in a conveyable orientation for further treatment at one or more stations in a production line. The apparatus includes a conveyance apparatus and at least one picker. An uprighting device is provided with a series of guides. The picker removes articles from the conveyance apparatus, and places the articles onto one of the guides. The uprighting device moves the guides between article placement positions and article conveyance positions. Each guide may include a contoured article support surface that facilitates centering of an article placed thereon.