Vertical Tray Stacking for Compact Robot Parts Supply

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parts supply apparatuses for robots require significant installation area and high costs due to the need for multiple driving mechanisms for tray handling and stacking, which hampers productivity and space efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A parts supply apparatus with a supply tray stacking portion, a tray raising/lowering unit, and an empty tray stacking portion disposed vertically above the supply tray stacking portion, where the tray raising/lowering unit separates and moves supply trays to a robot, and stacks empty trays without a separate driving source for the empty tray stacking, reducing the need for additional space and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple driving mechanisms are provided for tray handling and stacking, then tray supply functionality is improved, but installation area and apparatus costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray supply functionalityVSAvoidinstallation area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tray supply function and empty tray stacking function into a single integrated mechanism. The tray raising/lowering unit performs both separating supply trays from the stacking portion and stacking empty trays, eliminating the need for separate driving mechanisms and reducing installation area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray raising/lowering unit is designed as a multi-functional mechanism that can both raise supply trays for part supply and lower empty trays for stacking. This universal mechanism replaces multiple specialized mechanisms, reducing the overall apparatus footprint while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple driving mechanisms are provided for tray handling and stacking, then tray supply functionality is improved, but apparatus costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray supply functionalityVSAvoidapparatus costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tray supply function and empty tray stacking function into a single integrated mechanism. The tray raising/lowering unit performs both separating supply trays from the stacking portion and stacking empty trays, eliminating the need for separate driving mechanisms and reducing installation area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray raising/lowering unit is designed as a multi-functional mechanism that can both raise supply trays for part supply and lower empty trays for stacking. This universal mechanism replaces multiple specialized mechanisms, reducing the overall apparatus footprint while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If two axes of horizontal and vertical movable mechanisms are driven for tray replacement, then tray containment is achieved, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray containment capabilityVSAvoidtray replacement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tray handling process into independent raising and lowering operations. The tray raising/lowering unit can independently raise supply trays and lower empty trays without requiring coordinated movement of two-axis mechanisms, enabling faster tray replacement and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11020835B2Parts supply apparatus, parts supply method and robot system

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 CANON KK

AI summary

A parts supply apparatus includes a supply tray stacking portion where a supply tray containing parts is stacked; a tray raising/lowering unit for separating one of the supply trays from the supply tray stacking portion; a tray holding unit with which the tray raising/lowering unit is provided; and an empty tray stacking portion where an empty tray, which is the supply tray that is emptied after supply of the parts, is stacked. The empty tray stacking portion is disposed above the supply tray stacking portion in a vertical direction.