US 12,466,066 B2
Solar panel dispensing device with vertical solar panel hopper loading and dispensing
Fraser M. Smith, Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Assigned to Sarcos Corp., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed by Sarcos Corp., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed on May 4, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/312,361.
Prior Publication US 2024/0367319 A1, Nov. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 5/00 (2006.01); B60P 1/48 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B66F 9/00 (2006.01); B66F 9/06 (2006.01); B66F 9/18 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 9/1669 (2013.01) [B25J 5/005 (2013.01); B25J 9/162 (2013.01); B65G 1/04 (2013.01); B66F 9/00 (2013.01); B66F 9/06 (2013.01); B66F 9/18 (2013.01); B60P 1/483 (2013.01); Y10S 901/01 (2013.01); Y10S 901/14 (2013.01); Y10S 901/27 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar panel dispensing device, comprising:
a base;
a frame extending from the base and comprising rear support, the frame and base defining a hopper having an interior volume, the hopper being configured to contain one or more solar panels therein with the solar panels supported in an upright orientation;
a panel support mechanism comprising:
a hopper projection member moveably supported by at least one of the base or the frame of the hopper, and comprising a surface configured to interface with a lead solar panel of the one or more solar panels; and
a hopper actuator coupled to the hopper projection member and operable to move the hopper projection member toward the rear support; and
a robotic arm moveable about the hopper in one or more degrees of freedom, the robotic arm comprising:
a first end supported on at least one of the base, the frame, or an arm mount positioned to facilitate interaction between the robotic arm and the hopper;
a second end distal to the first end;
a solar panel end effector supported on the second end, the solar panel end effector being operable to acquire the lead solar panel of the one or more solar panels oriented in the upright orientation, the solar panel end effector comprising an interfacing orientation and a release orientation;
an arm actuator operable to move the second end of the robotic arm and the solar panel end effector between the interfacing orientation and the release orientation,
wherein the interfacing orientation of the solar panel end effector corresponds to the lead solar panel being in the upright orientation, and the release orientation of the solar panel end effector corresponds to the lead solar panel being in a presentation orientation.