AN END-EFFECTOR

The present invention provides an end-effector (400) for a robotic arm in which a membrane (430) is inflatable to grasp an object. The end-effector comprises an internal volume (414) for receiving said object to be picked and the flexible membrane (430) within the internal volume. The membrane defin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors BODKIN, Troy, WHITEAR, Dan, SAUERWALD, Thomas, PULLE, Chris Fernando
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
French
German
Published 24.04.2024
Subjects
AGRICULTURE
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
FISHING
FORESTRY
HAND TOOLS
HARVESTING
HUMAN NECESSITIES
HUNTING
MANIPULATORS
MOWING
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS
TRANSPORTING
TRAPPING
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Summary:The present invention provides an end-effector (400) for a robotic arm in which a membrane (430) is inflatable to grasp an object. The end-effector comprises an internal volume (414) for receiving said object to be picked and the flexible membrane (430) within the internal volume. The membrane defines an aperture and an inflatable volume, and is configurable to increase the inflatable volume from an uninflated configuration to an inflated grasping configuration to thereby narrow the aperture and permit an object within the internal volume to be grasped. The present inventors have identified that by using an inflatable membrane to grasp a fruit or vegetable to be picked, swift picking and short cycle times can be achieved without damaging the vulnerable fleshy part of the fruit. The invention has particular application for the picking of soft fruits such as berries, e.g. raspberries, which are especially susceptible to damage.
Bibliography:Application Number: EP20220735830