Method and apparatus for using vibration to release parts held by a robotic gripper
US10059008B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25J15/08
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A robot has a gripper for gripping parts and releasing the gripped part at a destination position. The gripped part is vibrated at the destination position to cause the gripper to release the gripped part. The gripped part can be directly vibrated or vibrated by vibrating the mechanical structure of the gripper or by vibrating air in the gripper mechanical structure. The vibrator can connect the gripper to the robot. The vibrator can be inside or attached to the one or more of the articulated fingers of the gripper. The vibrations can be stopped when a sensor detects that the gripped part has been released or after the passage of a preset vibration time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.