Automatic Shoe-Lacing Machine Robotic Arm Eyelet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoe-lacing machines are inefficient as they require separate operation of shoelace halves and need additional manpower to adjust misalignment during the lacing process, leading to inefficiencies and potential tangling of the shoelaces.
Innovation Solution
An automatic shoe-lacing machine equipped with a jig unit, a robotic arm unit, and a machine vision unit that simultaneously holds and moves the shoelace tipping members through the eyelets of the shoe upper, using a control unit to coordinate the movement and prevent tangling, allowing for precise alignment and efficient lacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional shoe-lacing machines operate two halves of the shoelace separately, then the structure is simple, but the productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operation of two separate shoelace halves into a single robotic arm unit that simultaneously controls both tipping members. This allows both halves of the shoelace to be operated concurrently rather than sequentially, doubling the lacing efficiency while the integrated control system manages the increased complexity
2Ease of operation
If the movable seat sequentially moves to predetermined positions, then the device complexity is low, but additional manpower is needed for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The machine vision unit automatically detects eyelet positions and provides real-time feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the robotic arm's movement accordingly. This self-correcting system eliminates the need for manual alignment adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple sequential positioning mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The machine vision unit captures images of the shoe upper and eyelets, processes the position information, and feeds it back to the control unit. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic alignment correction without adding complex mechanical positioning mechanisms
3Reliability
If the gripper reciprocally moves to run the shoelace through the shoe upper, then the device complexity is low, but the shoelace may tangle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reciprocating gripper system with a robotic arm unit that uses programmed motion paths and coordinated movement of multiple tipping members. This substitution prevents shoelace tangling by maintaining precise control over the lace trajectory while reducing the need for complex mechanical reciprocating mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic shoe-lacing machine for securing a shoelace onto a shoe upper includes a jig unit, a robotic arm unit and a control unit. The jig unit permits the shoe upper to be disposed thereon. The robotic arm unit is disposed at the proximity of the jig unit. The robotic arm unit simultaneously holds and moves two tipping members of the shoelace for sequentially passing the tipping members through eyelets formed in the shoe upper. The control unit controls the movement of the robotic arm unit.