Unpacking Device Dual-Arm Robot Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unpacking devices often mix scraps of packing materials with contents, especially when dealing with foodstuff, as they cut both the primary and secondary packing materials simultaneously, leading to contamination issues.

Innovation Solution

An unpacking method utilizing a dual arm robot to grip and lift the primary packing material, allowing the contents to be removed without cutting the primary material, thereby preventing scraps from mixing with the contents, and using a scrap removal unit to clean up secondary packing material scraps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the primary and secondary packing materials are cut simultaneously with edged tools, then the unpacking process is efficient and automated, but scraps of packing material are mixed in the contents causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunpacking efficiencyVSAvoidcontent contamination by packing scraps
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The unpacking process is segmented into distinct stages: first removing the secondary packing material (box) from the primary packing material (bag), then separately removing the primary packing material from the contents. This segmentation prevents scraps from mixing with contents by spatially and temporally separating the cutting operations from the content extraction operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful factor (packing scraps) is extracted from the system by removing the primary and secondary packing materials in sequence before the contents are discharged. The robot extracts the bag from the box first, then extracts the contents from the bag separately, ensuring scraps do not contaminate the contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the primary packing material is cut to remove contents, then the unpacking process is simplified, but scraps of primary packing material are mixed in the contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunpacking process simplicityVSAvoidcontent contamination by primary packing scraps
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary packing material (box) is removed in advance before the primary packing material (bag) is opened. This preliminary action creates a clean environment where the bag can be opened and contents extracted without contamination from box scraps. The preparatory removal of the outer packaging simplifies the subsequent operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If small contents remain within the primary packing material during unpacking, then the unpacking process is faster, but contents are lost or mixed with packing material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunpacking speedVSAvoidcontent separation completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The robot dynamically adjusts its gripping and manipulation actions based on the contents falling out naturally under gravity. By lifting the bag and allowing contents to exit through the opening, the system adapts to different content types and sizes, ensuring complete extraction without leaving remnants in the packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2592007B1Unpacking device and method
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP2592007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2592007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2592007B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An unpacking device (100) unpacks a package and takes out contents. The package includes a primary package (3) formed by packing the contents with a primary packing material and a secondary package (5) formed by packing the primary package (3) with a secondary packing material. The secondary packing material of the secondary package (5) has an incision (8). The unpacking device (100) includes a robot (10), and a control unit (110, 120) for controlling the robot (10) such that the robot (10) takes out the primary package (3) through the incision (8) of the secondary packing material and then takes out the contents from the primary package (3).