Dual flow integrated suction tool for robotic end-effectors

1 . A robotic arm comprising:

an arm segment; and

a suction tool provided at an end of the arm segment, the suction tool comprising;

a suction mechanism;

a first pump operable to provide a first suction force and a first flow rate at the first pump and to the suction mechanism;

a second pump operable to provide a second suction force and a second flow rate at the second pump and to the suction mechanism; and

a connection member placing the first pump and the second pump in fluid communication with the suction mechanism,

wherein the first suction force provided by the first pump is different from the second suction force provided by the second pump.

2 . The robotic arm of claim 1 , wherein the second suction force provided by the second pump is greater than the first suction force provided by the first pump.

3 . The robotic arm of claim 1 , wherein the first flow rate provided by the first pump is different from the second flow rate provided by the second pump.

4 . The robotic arm of claim 3 , wherein the first flow rate provided by the first pump is greater than the second flow rate provided by the second pump.

5 . The robotic arm of claim 1 , wherein the suction tool further comprises a first valve positioned between the first pump and the suction mechanism, the first valve being movable between an open position and a closed position.

6 . The robotic arm of claim 5 , wherein fluid communication between the first pump and the suction mechanism is prevented when the first valve is in the closed position.

7 . The robotic arm of claim 5 , wherein the suction tool further comprises a second valve operably coupled to the first pump, the second valve being movable between an open position and a closed position.

8 . The robotic arm of claim 7 , wherein the first pump is exposed to ambient air from an external environment when the second valve is in the open position.

9 . The robotic arm of claim 1 , wherein the suction tool further comprises a pressure sensor provided within an interior of the suction mechanism for detecting an internal pressure of the suction mechanism.

10 . A suction tool comprising:

a suction mechanism;

a first pump operable to provide a first suction force and a first flow rate at the first pump and to the suction mechanism;

a second pump operable to provide a second suction force and a second flow rate at the second pump and to the suction mechanism;

a connection member placing the first pump and the second pump in fluid communication with the suction mechanism; and

an electronic control unit that independently operates each of the first pump and the second pump based on a detected pressure within the suction mechanism,

wherein the second suction force is greater than the first suction force and the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate.

11 . The suction tool of claim 10 , further comprising a first valve positioned between the first pump and the suction mechanism, the first valve being movable between an open position and a closed position.

12 . The suction tool of claim 11 , wherein fluid communication between the first pump and the suction mechanism is prevented when the first valve is in the closed position.

13 . The suction tool of claim 11 , further comprising a second valve operably coupled to the first pump, the second valve being movable between an open position and a closed position.

14 . The suction tool of claim 13 , wherein the first pump is exposed to ambient air from an external environment when the second valve is in the open position.

15 . A method comprising:

positioning a suction mechanism of a suction tool adjacent an object;

activating a first pump generating a first flow rate and a first suction force at the first pump and within the suction mechanism;

activating a second pump generating a second flow rate and a second suction force at the second pump and within the suction mechanism, the second flow rate and the second suction force being different than the first flow rate and the first suction force, respectively;

creating a seal between the suction mechanism and the object;

detecting an internal pressure within the suction mechanism of the suction tool using a pressure sensor; and

determining if the internal pressure is less than or equal to a first threshold pressure, equal to or greater than a second threshold pressure, or between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising deactivating the first pump in response to determining that the internal pressure is less than or equal to the first threshold pressure.

17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising deactivating the second pump in response to determining that the internal pressure is equal to or greater than the second threshold pressure.

18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising deactivating the second pump and exposing the first pump to ambient air from an external environment in response to determining that the internal pressure is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure.

19 . The robotic arm of claim 1 , wherein:

the suction mechanism comprises a suction cup; and

the first pump and the second pump are in fluid communication with the suction cup.