High speed manipulation of non-uniform objects
US11787066B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2020 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2301/44514
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
System and methods for manipulating and sorting of objects being moved along a conveyor are disclosed, whereby control of the object is achieved through the application of one or more of vacuum, impaling, or mechanical grasping. One embodiment is directed to a robotic arm and vision detection system operable for detecting a target object to be grasped from a stream of objects being moved on a conveyor, and moving a suction head into position over the target object that has been detected on the conveyor, the suction head having a flexible cup section disposed at a distal end thereof, the vacuum item pick-up system/method using high subsonic air flow (e.g., on the order of 60 scfm or more) through a suction cup having a flow opening area large enough that an airflow of 60 scfm does not result in an airspeed exceeding Mach 0.2 under standard conditions of temperature and pressure, and further having a flow opening area whose ratio to cup opening area falls between 0.36 and 1.44 for applying a desired vacuum suction force for grasping the target object. Either as a primary grasping mechanism, or as an optional supplemental grasping mechanism, a piercing mechanism may be inserted into t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.