Abstract: Robotic systems are provided for flexibility in assembly operations. A robotic system includes a suction module having a front side with a face shaped to match a mating component and a rear side with a coupling for a suction line. Openings extend through the face. The suction module defines internal passages connecting the coupling with the at least one opening through the face. An end-effector has a base plate, a mounting plate selectively moveable relative to the base plate, and a clamp. The suction module is selectively mounted to the mounting plate and releasably secured by the clamp. An actuator is mounted to selectively move the mounting plate and the suction module relative to the base plate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for container transporters and related item manipulation devices. In one embodiment, an example item manipulation device may include a support platform, and a conveyance surface attached to the support platform and configured to convey a container at least a portion of a distance from a first side of the support platform to a second side of the support platform, where the conveyance surface defines at least a portion of a container passage through which a container can be conveyed. The item manipulation device may include a manipulator comprising a first arm disposed along a longitudinal axis of the item manipulation device and a second arm disposed along the longitudinal axis of the item manipulation device, where the manipulator is engageable with the container to move the container at least partially onto the conveyance surface.

Abstract: A distribution site and a distribution method are provided. The distribution site includes: a building having a storage space configured to store goods and a distribution interface area configured to park an unmanned ground distribution vehicle that is capable of performing goods distribution; and a goods sorting device arranged in the building and configured to load the goods in the storage space onto the unmanned ground distribution vehicle.

Abstract: A wafer carrier that exhibits a thin, low-profile includes a bottom support plate upon which a thinned semiconductor wafer may be positioned, with a holding ring disposed to surround the periphery of the wafer and engage with the bottom support plate to hold the wafer in a fixed position between the two components. The bottom support plate is formed to include a plurality of apertures for pulling a vacuum through the carrier, as well as features that engage with the holding ring and alignment fiducials for properly registering the orientation of the wafer's surface with respect to the wafer carrier and other testing equipment using the wafer carrier.

Abstract: A rack storage system with at least two multi-level longitudinally extending storage racks separated by an aisle, and at least two load lifting devices for storage units. Guide tracks run in at least some of the rack levels along the aisle for storage and retrieval vehicles that transport storage units between the storage racks and load lifting devices, with the guide tracks arranged to extend along the aisle and past the load lifting devices to enable access to the storage racks and each load lifting device. The load lifting devices are arranged in a row in a longitudinal direction of a storage rack either within the storage rack itself or in an extension of the longitudinal extension of a storage rack and a conveyor is connected to the intermediate load lifting device by circumventing at least one lifting device by using free space of an adjacent aisle.

Abstract: There is provided an exhaust nozzle unit capable of discharging a gas atmosphere in a substrate storage container having a loading/unloading opening from the container to an outside of the container through a port formed on a bottom surface of the container. The exhausted nozzle includes a nozzle capable of switching the port from a closed state to an open state by pressing a valve of the port; and a housing configured to hold the nozzle so as to be movable up and down between a use posture in which the port is in the open state and a standby posture in which the port is in the closed state.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism includes a frame and two or more spheres. The frame houses the two or more spheres. At least two spheres of the two or more spheres grip an object. Preferably, the frame includes two or more side plates. The number of the two or more side plates is the same as the number of the two or more spheres. Each of the two or more side plates is inclined toward a center axis of the frame. Each of the two or more spheres is in contact with at least one side plate of the two or more side plates.

Abstract: End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container carrier system for carrying containers, especially blister packages, and a method of carrying containers. The system includes a body having a longitudinal channel having a central portion and two side portions, the central portion having a greater depth than a depth of channel portions on either side of the central portion. The body further includes roof portions that cover the two side portions. The channel is configured to allow movement of containers only in the longitudinal direction of the channel. The blister packages may carry unit doses of medication.

Abstract: A quick-change coupler device for coupling and uncoupling implement attachments to and from construction site equipment includes a carrier assembly, first receiving members disposed on one side of the carrier assembly for receiving a first coupling member, second receiving members disposed on the other side of the carrier assembly for receiving a second coupling member, a locking unit dedicated to the second receiving members and capable of moving between a release position and a locking position, and a catch unit disposed on the carrier assembly for catching the implement attachment. To simplify coupling and to ensure an increased safety level, the catch unit comprises at least one catch hook swivel-mounted on the carrier assembly and a control unit controls swivel of the catch hook between a folded-in and a folded-out position. The control unit is actuated by the first coupling member and is actuated independently of the locking unit.

Abstract: A vehicle moving device for moving a vehicle from a first location to a second location includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A driving wheel is coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to contact a vehicle wheel at a first wheel location. A holding arm is coupled to the second end of the frame opposite the driving wheel and configured to contact the vehicle wheel at a second wheel location. The holding arm holds the vehicle wheel in contact with the driving wheel as the driving wheel rotates the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Device for collecting forage bales found on the ground, wherein it includes first means (17) of traction of bales (19) and dragging means (2) of said first traction means (17) mounted on a first chassis (1) of a frame in such a way that they define a first section (“A”) of ascent of the bales, means (16) of traction of the bales and means (4) of dragging those means (16) of traction mounted on a second chassis (3) of the frame so that they define a second section (“B”) of ascent of the bales coming from the first section (“A”) of ascent, the first chassis (1) being joined to the second chassis (3) in such a way that it is capable of rotating around a rotating axle (“Y”) due to the effect of the force of the impact with the bales, the first means (17) approaching the ground, and the device comprising a set (8) of shock absorbers of the turning movement of the first chassis (1).

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a camera, odometry module, processor, and drive mechanism. The camera captures images of an identifier for a racking system aisle and a rack leg portion in the aisle. The processor uses the identifier to generate information indicative of an initial rack leg position and rack leg spacing in the aisle, generate an initial vehicle position using the initial rack leg position, generate a vehicle odometry-based position using odometry data and the initial vehicle position, detect a subsequent rack leg using a captured image, correlate the detected subsequent rack leg with an expected vehicle position using rack leg spacing, generate an odometry error signal based on a difference between the positions, and update the vehicle odometry-based position using the odometry error signal and/or generated mast sway compensation to use for end of aisle protection and/or in/out of aisle localization.

Abstract: A safety device used in conjunction with a vehicle wheelchair lift, having a mounting plate for securing to the floor of a vehicle, upright members disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of the mounting plate, a barrier plate in overlying relationship to the mounting plate and pivotally connected to the uprights for movement between a raised and lowered position, the barrier plate, when raised, acting as a physical barrier to prevent a wheelchair from rolling across the mounting plate, and an actuator operatively connected to the barrier plate. In one embodiment, the upright members are a housing and a support wall. In another embodiment, the uprights are elongated members and include a cross bar disposed horizontally and in spaced parallel relation to the mounting plate when the barrier plate is raised and is disposed vertically and transverse to the mounting plate when the barrier plate is in the lowered position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rescue robot for searching trapped persons for firefighting, including a mobile base. Mobile rollers with self-locking mechanisms are mounted at a bottom of the mobile base, a machine mounting seat is fixed to the mobile base, a rotating column is arranged at the top of the machine mounting seat, a driving motor is mounted at a bottom of an inner cavity of the machine mounting seat, a right output end of the driving motor is sleeved with a driving bevel gear, a bottom of the rotating column penetrates through a top of the machine mounting seat and is sleeved with a driven bevel gear, the driving bevel gear and the driven bevel gear are mutually meshed, a portion of an outer wall of the rotating column is fixedly sleeved with a fixed seat, left and right sides of the fixed seat are symmetrical bridge cranes.

Abstract: A distribution site and a distribution method are provided. The distribution site includes: a building having a storage space configured to store goods and a distribution interface area configured to park an unmanned ground distribution vehicle that is capable of performing goods distribution; and a goods sorting device arranged in the building and configured to load the goods in the storage space onto the unmanned ground distribution vehicle.

Abstract: A retention mechanism for retaining an agricultural machine in engagement with a fork assembly. The mechanism may be provided on the fork assembly, agricultural machine or split between them. The retention mechanism may be actuated by a foot associated with either the fork assembly or the agricultural machine. The retention mechanism may employ pivoting latches or a clamping mechanism that clamps upon the forks or tines.

Abstract: A gripping device includes: a gripping portion configured to be displaced between a closed position in which a workpiece is grasped and an open position in which the workpiece is released; a holding portion configured to hold the gripping portion; a shaft portion that extends from the holding portion; a support portion configured to support the shaft portion such that the gripping portion faces the workpiece; a driving unit configured to displace the gripping portion between the closed position and the open position; and a moving mechanism configured to move the support portion in an axial direction of the shaft portion, in which the support portion is configured to support the shaft portion such that when a load acts on the shaft portion in the axial direction, the shaft portion is slidable relative to the support portion.

Abstract: A gripper mechanism includes a pair of gripper jaws, a linear actuator, and a rocker bogey. The linear actuator drives a first gripper jaw to move relative to a second gripper jaw. Here, the linear actuator includes a screw shaft and a drive nut where the drive nut includes a protrusion having protrusion axis expending along a length of the protrusion. The protrusion axis is perpendicular to an actuation axis of the linear actuator along a length of the screw shaft. The rocker bogey is coupled to the drive nut at the protrusion to form a pivot point for the rocker bogey and to enable the rocker bogey to pivot about the protrusion axis when the linear actuator drives the first gripper jaw to move relative to the second gripper jaw.

Abstract: A multi-tiered automated parcel sortation system is utilized to sort parcels according to a common destination. A first tier includes an automated sorter configured to transport parcels from a source location to a release destination. A second tier includes accumulation containers each associated with a shipping destination, and the release destination within the first tier is a positioned directly above the accumulation container associated with the shipping destination of the parcel. Once transported to the release destination, a parcel is released into the accumulation container, and once the accumulation container is filled, the accumulation of parcels within the container is released into a third tier, which may include conveyors or autonomous guided vehicles with transport containers. In the third tier, the parcels are transported away for further processing.