Transfer Robot Dual-Arm Suction Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transfer robots that suck the upper surfaces of workpieces face instability and require frequent tool changeovers when the workpieces' size changes, as the arm cannot bring narrower workpieces closer in the width direction, leading to misalignment and the need for external suction hole plugging.
Innovation Solution
A transfer robot with two robotic arms, each equipped with a hand body and a suction part, where the second suction part can adjust its size by moving relative to the first suction part, allowing for continuous workpiece transfer without tool changeovers by adjusting the suction area between the suction parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single suction head with a fixed width is used, then the structure is simple, but the suction head cannot adapt to workpieces of different sizes, requiring tool changeovers
Solution Approach 1:
The suction head is divided into multiple independent suction units (first suction unit with first and second suction bodies, second suction unit with third and fourth suction bodies). Each suction unit can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the system to adapt to different workpiece widths without requiring complete tool changeovers. The segmented structure enables flexible configuration to match various workpiece dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction bodies are designed with movable and adjustable characteristics. The first and second robotic arms can independently position the first and second suction units, respectively. The suction bodies can be moved in the width direction to adjust the overall suction width, and the third suction body can enter or exit the area between the first and second suction bodies dynamically. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different workpiece sizes while maintaining a relatively simple fixed structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the arm cannot bring narrower workpieces closer in the width direction, then the workpiece positions are unstable, but increasing the arm's adjusting range increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two independent robotic arms that can dynamically adjust the positions of the first and second suction units in the width direction. This dynamic positioning capability allows the arms to adapt to different workpiece widths without requiring complex mechanical adjusting mechanisms. The robotic arms provide precise control through software control rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction bodies act as intermediaries between the robotic arms and the workpieces. The first and second suction units, controlled by respective robotic arms, can independently adjust their positions to accommodate different workpiece widths. The third suction body can enter or exit the area between the first and second suction bodies to further adjust the suction width. This intermediary mechanism enables precise workpiece positioning without requiring complex arm adjusting mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If tool changeovers are required for different workpiece sizes, then the system can maintain precision, but productivity decreases due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the positions of the suction bodies using two independent robotic arms to maintain precise suction alignment for different workpiece sizes. Instead of requiring tool changeovers, the robotic arms can quickly reposition the suction units in the width direction to match different workpiece widths. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains manufacturing precision while eliminating the productivity loss associated with frequent tool changeovers.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction head system is designed with multi-functionality to handle different workpiece sizes with a single configuration. The first and second suction units, along with the third suction body, can be dynamically positioned to create different suction widths, allowing the same tool to universally handle various workpiece dimensions. This universality eliminates the need for tool changeovers while maintaining precise suction alignment, thereby improving productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the suction head width is increased to accommodate larger workpieces, then larger workpieces can be handled, but narrower workpieces cannot be brought close enough, creating positioning instability
Solution Approach 1:
The suction head is segmented into multiple independent suction units (first suction unit with first and second suction bodies, second suction unit with third and fourth suction bodies) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the system to handle a wide range of workpiece sizes by adjusting which suction bodies are active and their positions, rather than using a single fixed-width suction head. The segmented structure enables precise alignment for both narrow and wide workpieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction bodies are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through two independent robotic arms. The first and second suction units can be positioned at different widths, and the third suction body can enter or exit the area between the first and second suction bodies. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different workpiece sizes while maintaining precise workpiece-to-suction alignment, resolving the contradiction between handling a wide size range and maintaining positioning stability.
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
Enables continuous workpiece transfer with minimal tool changeovers, maintaining stability and efficiency even when workpiece sizes change, by adjusting the suction area between the suction parts without interference.
Implementation Method 1
a first suction part attached to the first hand body and configured to suck the upper surfaces of the workpieces, and a second suction part attached to the second hand body and configured to suck the upper surfaces of the workpieces
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer robot transfers workpieces while sucking upper surfaces of the workpieces. The transfer robot includes a first hand body attached to a first robotic arm, a second hand body attached to a second robotic arm, a first suction part attached to the first hand body, and a second suction part attached to the second hand body. The first suction part has a pair of suction bodies, the pair of suction bodies extending in a horizontal first direction and separated from each other in a horizontal second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second suction part has at least one suction body extending in the first direction, and the one suction body is changeable in an entering amount into an area between the pair of suction parts of the first suction part according to a relative movement of the second hand body in the first direction.