Suction assist multi-functional robotic end effector

A multi-functional robotic end-effector, comprising:

• a support platform;
• a gripper assembly comprising an opposable gripper arrangement supported from the support platform and having first and second opposable grippers, at least one gripper being actuatable in at least one degree of freedom;
• and
• a negative pressure system comprising a suction asset supported from the first gripper of the gripper assembly, the negative pressure system facilitating a negative pressure within the suction asset,
• wherein the suction asset is supported on and extends from the gripper assembly and comprises an object interfacing component comprising an interfacing surface that defines a suction plane, the suction asset being positioned outside of a gripping region of the gripper assembly.

A method for configuring a multi-functional robotic end-effector, the method comprising:

• configuring the end-effector to comprise a support platform;
• configuring the end-effector to comprise a gripper assembly to be supported from the support platform, the gripper assembly comprising an opposable gripper arrangement having first and second grippers, at least one of the first or second grippers being actuatable in at least one degree of freedom;
• configuring the end-effector to comprise, at least in part, a negative pressure system to be supported, at least in part, from the support platform, the negative pressure system comprising a suction asset having an object interfacing component comprising an interfacing surface that defines a suction plane, the negative pressure system facilitating a negative pressure within the suction asset;
• and
• configuring the end-effector to comprise a plurality of suction assets, including the suction asset, the plurality of suction assets being operable with at least one negative pressure generator.

A multi-functional robotic end-effector, comprising:

• a support platform;
• a gripper assembly comprising an opposable gripper arrangement supported from the support platform and having first and second grippers, at least one of the first or second grippers being actuatable in at least one degree of freedom;
• and
• a negative pressure system comprising a suction asset being supported from the support platform at a position so as to be proximate the opposable gripper arrangement, the negative pressure system facilitating a negative pressure within the suction asset,
• wherein the suction asset extends from the support platform and comprises an object interfacing component comprising an interfacing surface that defines a suction plane,
• wherein the negative pressure system further comprises a negative pressure generator in fluid communication with the suction asset and operable to generate the negative pressure within the suction asset, and
• wherein the negative pressure generator comprises a venturi vacuum system comprising a venturi vacuum device and a positive pressure source operable to supply a motive fluid to the venturi vacuum device.

A multi-functional robotic end-effector, comprising:

• a support platform;
• a gripper assembly comprising an opposable gripper arrangement supported from the support platform and having first and second grippers, at least one of the first or second grippers being actuatable in at least one degree of freedom;
• and
• a negative pressure system comprising a suction asset being supported from the support platform at a position so as to be proximate the opposable gripper arrangement, the negative pressure system facilitating a negative pressure within the suction asset, wherein the suction asset extends from the support platform and comprises an object interfacing component comprising an interfacing surface that defines a suction plane;
• and
• a magnet supported by at least one of the support platform or the gripper assembly, the magnet being operable to facilitate, at least in part, the capture and manipulation of an object having at least one surface magnetically attracted to the magnet.