Telescopic Robot Hand for Shelf Container Posture Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for handling and conveying bill storage containers in casinos are manual, labor-intensive, and require significant effort due to their weight and the need for manual orientation adjustments, leading to inefficiencies in loading and unloading.
Innovation Solution
An object conveying robot system with an articulated telescopic link mechanism and grasping member, capable of automatic grasping and positioning, which includes a robot hand with a telescopic link mechanism and a grasping member, allowing for efficient handling and placement of objects without manual intervention, and featuring a detachable biasing member for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling methods are used for bill storage containers, then operational simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity and handling difficulty increase due to the weight and orientation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The robot hand automatically adjusts the posture of the bill storage container during grasping and conveying operations. The articulated telescopic link mechanism self-adapts to the container's weight and dimensions, eliminating the need for manual orientation adjustments and enabling autonomous handling without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robot hand system featuring an articulated telescopic link mechanism. This substitution eliminates human labor while maintaining operational simplicity through automated posture adjustment and grasping control
2Device complexity
If a conventional robot hand design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the width dimension increases making it difficult to grasp stacked objects on shelves
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated telescopic link mechanism dynamically adjusts its configuration during extension and contraction. By controlling the posture of the link mechanism to assume a compact arrangement during grasping operations, the width dimension is minimized while maintaining the ability to handle objects of various sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a fixed-structure robot hand to one with dynamic dimensional characteristics. The telescopic link mechanism changes its effective width based on the operational phase: compact during grasping to access stacked objects, and extended during conveying to provide structural stability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the grasping member is attached to the base end side of the articulated telescopic link mechanism, then structural stability is improved, but the robot hand becomes limited in shelf dimension adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching the grasping member to the base end side as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the attachment position to the distal end side of the articulated telescopic link mechanism. This inversion enables the robot hand to adapt to various shelf dimensions while maintaining structural stability through the telescopic mechanism's inherent rigidity
4Productivity
If automated handling systems are implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but the system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot hand is divided into modular components: the articulated telescopic link mechanism, the grasping member, and the driving mechanism. This segmentation enables independent maintenance and repair of specific components without affecting the entire system, reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining automated handling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated telescopic link mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables posture adjustment, and facilitates grasping operations. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components required, simplifying the overall system structure and making it easier to maintain while achieving high productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying robot/system configured to: (i) operate within limitations of spaces defined by shelving, (ii) remove or place an object in spaces defined by shelving and (iii) enable an object to be automatically placed at a conveying-in position of a conveying processing system and manipulate the object's posture so that the object's posture changes from the object being conveyed to the object being processed. The system includes one or more of a robot hand with a grasping portion, articulated link mechanism, object placing shelf, box body, key and a lock. In one version, the box body is a bill storage container of the type used to store currency, coupons and tickets in electronic gaming devices located in a casino environment.