Multiple suction cup control
US9205558B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/46
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Example embodiments may provide for control of a suction gripper with multiple suction cups. One example system includes a suction gripper and a control system. The suction gripper may include a vacuum pump, a plurality of suction cups coupled to the vacuum pump, and a plurality of sensors corresponding to the suction cups, where a sensor is positioned between the vacuum pump and a suction cup and measures a vacuum pressure of the suction cup. The control system may be configured to activate the vacuum pump to cause the suction gripper to apply suction to an object through one or more active suction cups, receive sensor data indicative of the vacuum pressure of the one or more active suction cups from the corresponding sensors, identify at least one suction cup to deactivate from the one or more active suction cups, and deactivate the at least one identified suction cup.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.