Electroadhesive conveying surfaces

摘要

An electroadhesive gripping platform includes one or more electrodes. A power supply is configured to apply voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive platform via one or more terminals. A controller is configured to operate the electroadhesive gripping platform to selectively adhere to items loaded thereon and thereby enhance traction control over such items. The controller can control the power supply to apply a voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive platform to thereby cause the electroadhesive platform to adhere to an item disposed on the electroadhesive platform such that the item resists moving with respect to the electroadhesive platform. The controller can also control the voltage supply to reduce the voltage applied to the one or more terminals such that the item moves with respect to the electroadhesive platform.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a conveyor belt having a plurality of separately addressable regions, wherein each separately addressable region includes one or more electrodes in the conveyor belt that are electrically isolated from electrodes in adjacent regions; an electroadhesive platform comprising one of the plurality of separately addressable regions; a power supply configured to electrically connect to the electrodes in the conveyor belt through one or more rolling contacts; and a controller configured to: (i) control the power supply to apply a voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive platform to thereby cause the electroadhesive platform to adhere to an item disposed on the electroadhesive platform such that the item resists moving with respect to the electroadhesive platform and (ii) control the power supply to reduce the voltage applied to the one or more electrodes such that the item moves with respect to the electroadhesive platform.