ROBOTIC ITEM HANDLING USING A VARIABLE AREA MANIPULATOR

    公开(公告)号:US20190228371A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-07-25

    申请号:US15879132

    申请日:2018-01-24

    Abstract: A manipulator can includes a frame, a first deployable support element configured to extend or retract with respect to the frame when acted on by an actuator, a static support element fixedly connected with the frame and comprising a second set of retention elements, and any suitable number of additional deployable support elements. Each support element can further include a respective set of retention elements configured to retain an item. In use, a manipulator can be used to move items by identifying an item contact area of an item to be moved, selectively deploying or retracting the deployable support elements based on the item contact area, and then contacting and retaining the item with the retention elements of the selected support elements.

    Systems and methods to secure rollable carts to sortation systems

    公开(公告)号:US11511945B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-29

    申请号:US17215391

    申请日:2021-03-29

    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to secure rollable carts to sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first chute configured to guide packages to a first moveable cart that is disposed at a first end of the first chute, and a first anti-tip mechanism configured to prevent tipping of the first moveable cart. The first anti-tip mechanism may include a frame, a first C-shaped component coupled to the frame, and a second C-shaped component coupled to the frame. The first C-shaped component may be configured to engage a first portion of the first moveable cart, and the second C-shaped component may be configured to engage a second portion of the first moveable cart, such that the first moveable cart is prevented from vertical movement.

    Adaptive perception for industrial robotic systems

    公开(公告)号:US10471597B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-11-12

    申请号:US15800847

    申请日:2017-11-01

    Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing control of robotic systems. Failures of a robotic device performing a lifting operation for one or more items within a fulfillment center over a window of time are monitored. Responsive to the failures exceeding a predefined threshold number of failures for the window of time, one or more control operations for optimizing performance of the robotic device are determined, by processing environmental metrics, failure type, mode of operation and item type information as inputs to a trained machine learning model. A control system for the robotic device is configured based on the determined one or more control operations, and movement of the robotic device is controlled using the configured control system, to perform the lifting operation for one or more additional items within the fulfillment center.

    Radar based guidance system perceiving contents of a container

    公开(公告)号:US11035951B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-06-15

    申请号:US16369573

    申请日:2019-03-29

    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a scanning station for identifying an air gap between one or more items stored in a container (e.g., a cardboard box) and a surface of the container (e.g., a top lid of the cardboard box). After identifying the air gap, in one embodiment, the scanning station provides instructions to a downstream cutting station where the container is cut opened. In one embodiment, the scanning station includes one or more articulating arms that each includes a scanner (e.g., a radar sensor) attached on an end of the articulating arm facing the container. Moving the articulating arms along the boundaries of the container provides a 3D image of the inside of the container. By processing this image, the scanning station can identify an air gap along a desired cut line as well as a thickness of the sides of the container.

    On-demand v-shaped conveyor
    6.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10315852B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-06-11

    申请号:US15665105

    申请日:2017-07-31

    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a belt wound around a roller assembly along a belt axis. The belt is configured to convey objects along the roller assembly in a direction of conveyance. The belt includes a primary belt portion that is in contact with rollers of the roller assembly and defines the belt axis. The conveyor includes an actuator configured to cause the belt to selectively define at least one belt peak that protrudes from the primary belt portion at a peak height measured orthogonally from the belt axis.

    Adjustable robotic end of arm tool for multiple object handling

    公开(公告)号:US10968051B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-04-06

    申请号:US16449007

    申请日:2019-06-21

    Abstract: Systems and methods to manipulate objects may include an adjustable robotic end of arm tool including a pair of static forks or arms and a pair of movable forks or arms. The static forks may be configured to lift objects, such as pallets, totes, or bins. The movable forks may be configured to move between a plurality of positions, including a storage position and a lifting position. When in the lifting position, the movable forks may also be configured to lift objects, such as pallets, totes, or bins, such that the adjustable robotic end of arm tool may simultaneously or concurrently lift and manipulate multiple objects using the static forks and the movable forks, thereby improving speed and efficiency of operations or processes utilizing the adjustable robotic end of arm tool.

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