System for handling elements

Abstract

The system for handling elements comprises a robotic arm (1) provided with at least one tool (2) on one of the ends thereof, wherein the system for handling also comprises a support plate (10) from which a plurality of bristles (20) emerge, the ends of the bristles (20) further from the support plate (10) defining a support surface intended to receive said elements. It provides a system for handling elements which facilitates the handling thereof, meaning, the grabbing, securing, transportation, and releasing thereof.

Claims

1: A system for handling elements, comprising: a robotic arm (1) provided with at least one tool (2) on one of the ends thereof, characterised in that the system for handling also comprises a support plate (10) from which a plurality of bristles (20) emerge, the ends of the bristles (20) further from the support plate (10) defining a support surface intended to receive said elements.

2: The system for handling elements according to claim 1, wherein said tool (2) comprises at least one actuator (3) joined to the end of said robot arm (1) and at least one adapter (4) removably joined to said at least one actuator (3).

3: The system for handling elements according to claim 1, wherein said at least one adapter (4) comprise two separate halves (7, 8).

4: The system for handling elements according to claim 3, wherein each half (7, 8) of the adapter (4) comprises a fixed portion (71, 81) and an interchangeable portion (72, 82).

5: The system for handling elements according to claim 1, wherein said tool (2) comprises at least one projection.

6: The system for handling elements according to claim 4, wherein said projections are arranged in at least one of said interchangeable portions (72, 82).

7: The system for handling elements according to claim 3, wherein the halves (7, 8) of said adapter (4) are movable relative to each other, approaching and moving away relative to each other.

8: The system for handling elements according to claim 1, wherein the set of the support plate (10) and the bristles (20) is a single part.

9: The system for handling elements according to claim 8, wherein said set of the support plate (10) and the bristles (20) is made of a polymer.

10: The system for handling elements according to claim 9, wherein said bristles (20) are made of a flexible material.

11: The system for handling elements according to claim 1, wherein said tool (2) comprises at least one adapter (4) joined to the end of said robotic arm (1) and at least one punching element (9) removably joined to said at least one adapter (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To better understand what has been set forth, several drawings are joined wherein practical embodiments are schematically depicted merely by way of non-limiting example.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robotic arm of the system for handling elements according to the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a brush forming a support surface of the system for handling elements according to the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the system for handling elements of the present invention during the use thereof;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a robotic arm of the system for handling elements according to the present invention, according to a second alternative embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a robotic arm of the system for handling elements according to the present invention, according to a third alternative embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the system for handling elements of the present invention during the use thereof, according to a fourth alternative embodiment; and

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the system for handling elements of the present invention during the use thereof, according to a fifth alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] The system for exchanging adapters comprises a robotic arm 1, which on one of the ends thereof a tool is arranged, or several tools in the case of multi-picking (FIG. 5), generally identified by the reference number 2.

[0027] According to the embodiment shown, the tool 2 comprises an actuator 3 and at least one adapter 4. Said actuator 3 is, for example, a clamp, which is fixed to the robotic arm 1 on one of the ends thereof (FIG. 1).

[0028] It should be noted, however, that a tool may not comprise any actuator and only one adapter (FIG. 4), it may comprise more than one actuator (FIG. 5) and it may comprise more than one adapter

[0029] Said adapter 4 is made up of two halves, an upper half 7 and a lower half 8. Each half 7, 8, in turn, is made up of two portions, a fixed portion 71, 81, fixed to the actuator, 3 and an interchangeable portion 72, 82. Said interchangeable portions 72, 82 are those which interact with the elements to be handled by the robotic arm.

[0030] The system for handling according to the present invention also comprises a support surface preferably made up of a plurality of brushes, one of which is shown in FIG. 2.

[0031] The brush comprises a support plate 10 from which a plurality of flexible bristles 20 extend, in particular, they extend from an upper surface of said support plate 10.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the set of the support plate 10 and the bristles 20 is a single part, for example, made of a polymer.

[0033] Said bristles 20 define the support surface for the different elements, in this case laminar ones 30, such as fabrics or papers, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0034] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, said interchangeable portions 72, 82 comprise projections which are introduced between the bristles 20 of the brushes which make up the support surface, in this case, a conveyor belt, facilitating the handling of the laminar elements. Furthermore, since these are flexible bristles, said interchangeable portions 72, 82 can be positioned below the portions to be handled without damaging the support surface or the element to be handled, since the plurality of flexible bristles 20 is moved when the tool of the robot enters.

[0035] To facilitate the securing of the elements 30, the upper and lower halves 7, 8 of the adapter 4 are movable relative to each other, by the effects of the actuator, being able to move away and approach, thus also moving the projections of the interchangeable portions 72, 82 further away and closer.

[0036] As seen in FIG. 3, the space defined between the bristles 20 enables the placement of the tool 2, in particular of the projections thereof, below the lower surface of the laminar elements 30, facilitating the handling thereof.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the robotic arm has an adapter 4 directly coupled thereon without needing an actuator 3.

[0038] According to another alternative embodiment represented in FIG. 5, the robotic arm has more than one actuator 3 coupled together with the respective adapters 4 thereof, in order to perform multiple simultaneous collection tasks.

[0039] According to another alternative embodiment represented in FIG. 6, the robotic arm has an actuator 3 coupled together with the respective adapter 4 thereof, the design of which favours the collection of delicate objects 5 in a gravitational manner, such as for example delicate leafy vegetables.

[0040] According to another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the robotic arm has an adapter 4 coupled thereon, the design of which incorporates a punching element 9 for collecting objects 6 suitable for being punched, such as urban waste and garbage.

[0041] Despite having referred to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident for a person skilled in the art that the system for handling which has been described is susceptible to a number of variations and modifications, and which all the mentioned details can be replaced with other technically equivalent ones without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.