US 12,077,396 B2
Apparatus and method for separating objects
Guoqi Shi, Shanghai (CN)
Assigned to ABB SCHWEIZ AG, Baden (CH)
Appl. No. 17/759,591
Filed by ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
PCT Filed Apr. 26, 2020, PCT No. PCT/CN2020/086947
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 27, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/217290, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 4, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0075187 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 59/02 (2006.01); B65G 43/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 59/02 (2013.01) [B65G 43/08 (2013.01); B65G 2201/022 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for separating objects, comprising:
a separating mechanism configured to separate objects arranged in a stack;
a distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the separating mechanism and the stack,
wherein the distance sensor comprises a travel switch configured to be triggered when the distance between the separating mechanism and the stack reaches a distance threshold;
a robot configured to hold the separating mechanism; and
a controller configured to:
cause the robot to move the separating mechanism to a first height;
cause the robot to move the separating mechanism towards the stack;
in response to the distance between the separating mechanism and the stack reaching the distance threshold, cause the robot to stop moving the separating mechanism; and
cause the separating mechanism to separate the objects.