Visually Controlled End Effector for Random Item Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic systems fail to efficiently transfer multiple randomly placed items into a sorted condition while maintaining high transfer speeds and managing end effector weight effectively, leading to increased robot cycles and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A visually controlled end effector with operational members and a scanning camera system that allows a robot to select and re-orient multiple randomly placed items simultaneously, using a crank mechanism and vacuum suction to manage item placement, reducing the need for individual transfers and recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple items are transferred individually by the robot, then the end effector weight is manageable, but the robot transfer time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operational members (fingers grippers) into a single end effector assembly that can simultaneously handle multiple items. This allows the robot to pick up and transfer multiple randomly placed items in one operation rather than sequentially, thereby increasing productivity while managing the overall end effector weight through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector is divided into multiple independent operational members (fingers grippers) that can be independently controlled. Each finger gripper can selectively engage with individual items, allowing the system to handle varying numbers and configurations of items simultaneously, thus reducing total robot cycle time while maintaining manageable weight distribution.
2Measurement precision
If a vision system is added to guide the robot in selecting randomly placed items, then positioning accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a vision system that captures images of randomly placed items on the conveyer belt and provides feedback to the robot controller. This enables the robot to accurately locate and select items based on their actual positions, achieving high positioning precision while the integrated control system manages the complexity of coordinating vision data with robotic motion.
3Productivity
If the end effector is designed to hold multiple items simultaneously, then transfer efficiency increases, but the end effector weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operational members (fingers grippers) utilize lightweight yet sufficiently strong materials and designs that can simultaneously grasp multiple items. This allows the end effector to hold and transfer multiple items in one cycle, increasing productivity while keeping the overall weight manageable through optimized material selection and structural design.
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
This solution significantly reduces robot transfer time and production costs by enabling the simultaneous re-orientation and placement of multiple items, enhancing efficiency and accuracy without increasing end effector weight, thus improving production throughput.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning camera capable of scanning a plurality of randomly placed items
Implementation Method 2
using a crank mechanism and vacuum suction to manage item placement
Data Source
AI summary
A visually controlled end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises two or more operational members capable of picking up one or more randomly placed items. A crank is capable of actuation by a robot to orient a first one of said two or more operational members to pick up a first one of said one or more randomly placed items. The crank is further capable of actuation by the robot to orient a second one of said two or more operational members to pick up a second one of said one or more randomly placed items. The crank is further capable of orienting the first and second ones of the said two or more operational members for placement of the first and second ones of said randomly placed items into a desired oriented condition. A time savings of three robot transfers is thus made over prior art systems that transferred each individual product one by one.