Rotating Base Link Mechanism for High-Speed Article Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for handling articles, such as delta robots, face limitations in clocking rate and torque transmission due to increased dead weight and energy line requirements, leading to reduced payload capacity and efficiency in packaging processes.

Innovation Solution

A device with a rotatably driven base and independently pivoting upper arms, eliminating the need for a drivably rotatable manipulator on the coupling element, allows for higher torque transmission and reduced weight on the coupling element, enabling faster movements and increased payload capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a drivably rotatable manipulator is provided on the coupling element with energy lines laid from the base, then the manipulator can be actuated to carry out actions, but the dead weight on the coupling element increases and payload capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulator actuation capabilityVSAvoiddead weight on coupling element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the drive mechanism from the coupling element and relocates it to the base. The manipulator is no longer drivably rotatable on the coupling element, but is instead actuated by a drive arranged on the base, eliminating the need for energy lines running from base to coupling element and removing the associated dead weight from the moving component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the drive on the manipulator/coupling element (conventional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the drive on the stationary base and actuating the manipulator from there. This reversal of the drive location solves the weight problem while maintaining full manipulator functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the base is fixed to the frame, then the structure is stable, but torque transmission to the manipulator is limited and movement speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase stabilityVSAvoidtorque transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The base is made dynamically rotatable relative to the frame about a vertical axis through cardanic suspension, allowing the entire base assembly to rotate and reposition the manipulator quickly. This dynamic capability enables faster article handling while the drive on the base provides sufficient torque for both base rotation and manipulator actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If energy lines are laid from the base to the coupling element, then the manipulator can be supplied with energy, but the dead weight increases and clocking rate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulator energy supplyVSAvoidclocking rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy lines are extracted from the system entirely. Since the drive is relocated to the base, no energy lines need to run from the base to the coupling element, eliminating the associated dead weight and the constraint on movement speed that limited clocking rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the manipulator is made rotatable on the coupling element, then it can be aligned with articles, but the complexity of energy line management increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulator alignment capabilityVSAvoidenergy line management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The need for energy line management is extracted from the system by relocating the drive to the base. The manipulator retains its alignment capability through the cardanic suspension that allows the base to rotate, but without the complexity of energy lines running to a rotatable manipulator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2799190B1Device for handling articles
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 KRONES AG
  • EP2799190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2799190B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2799190B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a device (01) for handling articles. The device includes a support (02), a pedestal (04) arranged on the support (02), and a link mechanism (05), wherein the link mechanism includes at least three driven arms (50) and a central connection component (06). Each driven arm (50) includes an upper arm (52) driven to support around a pivotal axis (51) of itself which is arranged on the pedestal (04) in a pivotable manner and a lower arm (53) arranged on the upper arm (52) in a hinged manner and connected with the connection component (06) in a hinged manner. In addition, each driven arm has a driver (54) of itself and is used for enabling the upper arm (52) to separately pivot about the pivotal axis (51). The pedestal (04) together with the pivotal axis (51) is driven to support around a rotating axis (40) in a rotatable manner relative to the support (02).