Suction Gripper Load Feedback for Secure High-Speed Piece Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suction gripping devices face inefficiencies when handling objects of varying weights, as the dynamics of movement must be adapted to prevent objects from tearing off, especially with flexurally limp shipments like sealed bags, leading to low throughput and inaccurate mass estimation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a load sensor to generate gripping information, which controls operating parameters such as acceleration and suction power of the suction gripping device, allowing for secure holding and optimized movement dynamics based on the object's properties, including mass and type, thereby enhancing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the suction gripping device moves objects with large mass, then the holding force requirement increases, but the acceleration must be reduced to prevent objects from tearing off
Solution Approach 1:
The suction gripping device dynamically adapts its acceleration profile based on the detected mass of the piece goods. The control unit adjusts the acceleration parameters in real-time according to the load, allowing optimal movement dynamics for each specific object mass rather than using fixed conservative parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters (acceleration, velocity profiles) based on the detected object properties. By measuring or estimating the mass of the piece goods, the control unit modifies the movement parameters to match the specific load requirements, enabling both heavy and light objects to be handled efficiently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the suction gripping device handles different objects with unknown weights, then the gripping force must be adapted, but this requires knowing the mass of each object
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical weighing with a sensor-based detection method. Instead of using a scale to measure mass, the invention uses sensors (such as force sensors, acceleration sensors, or vision systems) to detect or estimate the mass of objects, eliminating the need for physical contact weighing and enabling automatic adaptation to different object types.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes sensor data about object properties and translates this information into appropriate gripping and movement parameters. This intermediary layer enables the system to adapt its behavior based on detected object characteristics without direct human intervention or prior knowledge of object masses.
3Reliability
If the dynamics are reduced to ensure secure gripping of heavy objects, then the throughput during pick and place operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic parameter adjustment to optimize both reliability and productivity. By continuously adapting the acceleration and velocity profiles based on the detected object mass, the system can move heavy objects securely at the maximum safe speed while moving lighter objects faster, thereby maximizing overall throughput without compromising gripping reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback from sensors that monitor the gripping process and object properties. This feedback loop allows the control unit to continuously adjust movement parameters during operation, ensuring that the suction head moves at the optimal speed for each specific load, thus maintaining both secure gripping and high productivity.
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 solution ensures secure gripping and efficient movement of objects by dynamically adjusting operating parameters based on real-time gripping information, preventing object loss and improving handling efficiency across different weights and types, thus increasing the throughput of suction gripping devices.
Implementation Method 1
a suction head (12), a suction means (1) The suction means (1), for example a vacuum pump, is designed to generate a vacuum in the suction cup
Data Source
AI summary
Handling of piece good via a suction gripping device for automated movement of a piece of material via a suction gripping device including docking a suction head of the suction gripping device onto the piece good and gripping the piece good via a vacuum generated in the suction head, automatically moving the suction gripper by automatically moving the suction head, generating an output signal via a load sensor, the output signal comprising information that includes gripping information, and which provides information on how securely the piece of material is held by the suction gripping device and adjusting at least one operating parameter of the suction gripping device as a function of the gripping information.