Rotating Support Mechanism for Workpiece Alignment in Picking Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing picking systems face challenges in efficiently aligning and placing workpieces on a conveyor belt due to the complexity of controlling robot operations, which can lead to increased time requirements and potential interference with other robots, complicating the computation process and degrading work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A picking system comprising a conveying device, a robot with rotatable holding parts, and a control device that detects workpiece positions and directions, allowing the robot to hold workpieces without considering initial directions and align them during placement, thereby simplifying the holding operation and reducing the time required for alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the robot aligns the directions of workpieces while holding them, then the workpiece placement precision is improved, but the operation time increases and work efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of aligning workpiece directions during the holding operation, the patent inverts the approach by performing alignment during the placement operation. The robot holds workpieces in any orientation, then rotates the supporting part to align the workpiece direction with the placement surface normal direction right before placement, thereby achieving precise placement without extending holding time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotatable supporting part that can dynamically change orientation during the placement operation. This dynamic rotation capability allows the robot to adapt the workpiece orientation to match the placement surface requirements, achieving both flexible holding and precise placement alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the robot performs alignment operation before placement, then the placement accuracy is improved, but the operation complexity and interference risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the alignment action preliminarily by pre-calculating the required rotation angle based on the workpiece holding direction and the placement surface normal direction. The supporting part is rotated by this predetermined angle before placement, ensuring accurate alignment without requiring complex real-time control during the placement operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment operations with a simplified rotation mechanism. Instead of manipulating multiple degrees of freedom during holding, the system uses a single rotational degree of freedom on the supporting part to achieve alignment, reducing operational complexity while maintaining placement accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster workpiece alignment and placement, reducing the likelihood of interference and improving work efficiency by streamlining the robot's operation control process.
Implementation Method 1
The supporting part is rotatably provided against an arm to support the plurality of holding parts. The control device instructs the robot to rotate the supporting part by a predetermined amount in such a manner that a direction of the workpiece becomes a predetermined direction
Data Source
AI summary
A picking system includes a conveyer, a robot, and a control device. The conveyer conveys workpieces. The robot includes a plurality of holding parts and a supporting part. The holding parts hold the workpieces. The supporting part is rotatably provided against an arm to support the plurality of holding parts. Then, the control device instructs the robot to rotate the supporting part by a predetermined amount in such a manner that the direction of the workpiece becomes a predetermined direction for each the workpiece held by the holding parts and then to place the workpiece on a predetermined place.