Waste Sorting Gantry Robot Gripper with Straight Air Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste sorting robots face limitations such as the inability to handle heavy objects, susceptibility to wear, and complex control requirements due to their design, and existing grippers require bulky vacuum hoses that are prone to blockages, reducing efficiency and increasing downtime.
Innovation Solution
A waste sorting robot gripper utilizing a suction cup with a single air hose for generating negative pressure, where air flow is aligned along a straight path to minimize losses and facilitate easy unblocking, eliminating the need for a vacuum hose and reducing the robot's weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum hose is used to generate negative pressure in the suction gripper, then the gripper can effectively handle objects, but the system becomes bulky and prone to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vacuum hose from the system by replacing it with a suction tube that generates negative pressure internally through a nozzle. This removes the bulky external vacuum hose that was prone to blockages, while maintaining the gripper's ability to handle objects effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by introducing a nozzle that generates a jet flow to create negative pressure within the suction tube. This pneumatic mechanism replaces the traditional vacuum hose system, maintaining gripping functionality while eliminating the complexity and reliability issues of external vacuum hoses.
2Productivity
If a delta robot design is used for waste sorting, then small light objects can be picked effectively, but heavy objects cannot be lifted and the working volume is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suspension system of delta robots with a gantry structure that engages the floor. This substitution allows the manipulator to be supported by the gantry rather than suspended, enabling the handling of heavy objects while maintaining sorting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the robot system into a separate gantry structure and manipulator assembly. The gantry provides structural support and engagement with the floor, while the manipulator focuses on object handling operations. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component for their specific functions.
3Volume of moving object
If the suction tube has a complex air flow path, then the gripper can be compact, but air flow losses increase and unblocking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the air flow path extend from the suction cup through the suction tube to the nozzle at the far end, rather than having the nozzle at the suction cup end. This inversion creates a straight air flow path that minimizes losses while maintaining a compact gripper volume, and facilitates easy unblocking by allowing air to flow freely from the nozzle back through the tube.
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
The solution enhances the robot's maneuverability, reduces downtime due to easier maintenance, and improves efficiency by using compressed air to generate near-vacuum pressure for effective object handling without the need for bulky vacuum hoses.
Implementation Method 1
A waste sorting robot gripper utilizing a suction cup with a single air hose for generating negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
improves efficiency by using compressed air to generate near-vacuum pressure for effective object handling
Data Source
AI summary
A waste sorting robot gripper comprises a suction cup engageable with the surface of a waste object. The suction cup has an air hole for evacuating air from the suction cup. A suction tube is coupled to the suction cup. The suction tube comprises a longitudinal axis. A first air inlet is in fluid communication with the air hole at one end of the suction tube and an air outlet at the other end of the suction tube. A path of the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet is substantially along the longitudinal axis. The suction tube comprises a second air inlet in fluid communication with an air source, the second air inlet being between the first air inlet and the air outlet.