Sensor-Guided Loading Arms for Mispositioned Article Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional material handling systems face inefficiencies and potential damage due to mispositioned articles, leading to failed retrieval attempts and system halts, as they lack effective mechanisms to accurately determine and adapt to the actual location of articles within storage systems.
Innovation Solution
An article retrieval device with movable loading arms and engagement structures, equipped with sensing devices and a computing system, that adjusts its position and deployment based on sensor data to accurately engage and retrieve articles, preventing collisions and ensuring safe retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional material handling systems are used for article retrieval, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot accurately determine and adapt to the actual location of mispositioned articles, leading to failed retrieval attempts and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensing devices continuously monitor the actual position of articles during retrieval operations. The computing device receives sensor data, compares it with expected positions, and adjusts the retrieval operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the system to adapt to mispositioned articles and complete successful retrievals even when articles are not in their expected locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical retrieval systems with an automated system that uses sensing devices (optical, capacitive, inductive, or magnetic sensors) to detect article positions. The computing device processes sensor data and controls the retrieval operation, substituting manual mechanical adjustment with automated sensor-based detection and control, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through intelligence rather than pure mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the loading arms extend further to reach mispositioned articles, then the retrieval range increases, but the risk of collision and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary sensing to detect the actual position of articles before the loading arms extend to retrieve them. The sensing devices are positioned to scan the storage environment in advance, allowing the computing device to calculate the exact location of mispositioned articles and plan the extension movement accordingly. This preliminary detection prevents collisions by ensuring the arms extend only to where articles actually exist.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading arms are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to extend variable distances based on real-time sensor data. Rather than fixed extension mechanisms, the arms can adjust their extension distance and trajectory dynamically during the retrieval operation, enabling the system to reach mispositioned articles while avoiding unnecessary collisions by adapting the movement path to the actual article location.
3Measurement precision
If sensing devices are added to detect article positions, then the accuracy of article location determination improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional sensing devices that can detect various types of articles using different sensing modalities (optical, capacitive, inductive, or magnetic). Rather than requiring separate specialized sensors for different article types, the system uses a universal sensing approach where the same sensor framework can adapt to detect different article characteristics. This universality improves measurement precision across diverse articles while managing complexity through standardized sensor implementation.
4Reliability
If the system halts to reposition articles, then the article can be correctly positioned, but the system throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from sensing devices to continuously monitor article positions during retrieval operations. When mispositioned articles are detected, the system receives real-time information about their actual location and adjusts the retrieval operation on-the-fly rather than halting completely. The computing device modifies the extension distance and trajectory dynamically, allowing the system to maintain throughput by resolving positioning issues during the retrieval operation itself rather than stopping to reposition articles separately.
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
The device effectively retrieves mispositioned articles without damage, enhancing system throughput and efficiency by avoiding collisions and reducing faulted states.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing device may include a photoelectric sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An article retrieval device includes a pair of loading arms, at least one engagement structure movably attached to at least one of the pair of loading arms, a sensing device coupled with the pair of loading arms, and a computing device operably coupled with the pair of loading arms, the at least one engagement structure, and the sensing device. In an instance in which a sensor data generated by the sensing device indicates that the sensing device is impeded when the pair of loading arms are in a first position proximate a first article, the computing device is configured to (i) cause the pair of loading arms to extend from the first position to a second position that is greater than the first position.