Robot gripper for clamping steering wheel

Abstract

The utility model relates to a robot gripper for clamping a steering wheel, which comprises a base plate, a clamping device, a clamping device, a clamping device and a clamping device, and a mounting hole is formed in the middle of the base plate; three groups of strip-shaped holes which are formed around the mounting hole are formed in the outer edge of the base plate by taking the mounting hole as a circle center; each clamping jaw assembly is correspondingly connected with one set of long-strip-shaped holes, and the positions, located in the long-strip-shaped holes, of the clamping jaw assemblies are adjusted according to the specification of the steering wheel; the lower portion of the clamping jaw assembly is provided with a lengthened clamping jaw, and the lengthened clamping jaw is provided with an arc structure matched with a steering wheel. The three clamping jaw assemblies are adjusted in the long-strip-shaped hole in the same proportion, and the problem that at the present stage, the specification of a robot gripper suitable for clamping a steering wheel does not exist is solved; the steering wheel clamping device is suitable for clamping steering wheels of different specifications; the lengthened clamping jaw is provided with an arc structure matched with the steering wheel, the problem that an existing robot gripper is prone to rollover when grabbing the steering wheel is solved, and clamping is more stable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of robot gripper technology, and more specifically to a robot gripper for holding a steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] Robots are currently playing a significant role in the automotive industry, leading to a growing demand for robotics professionals. Therefore, the teaching of this major requires robotics equipment appropriate to the teaching space and the level of difficulty. Among automotive parts, the steering wheel, due to its small size and light weight, is suitable for teaching because robotic manipulation of steering wheels requires minimal space and carries low risk.

[0003] However, currently, most car steering wheels are installed manually on production lines, and there are no robotic grippers specifically designed to pick them up, which fails to meet the needs of educational applications. Existing robotic grippers used to grasp steering wheels present the following problems:

[0004] 1. Insufficient adaptability: The size and shape of the steering wheel may vary from car model to car, and existing gripper designs generally lack sufficient adaptability to accommodate steering wheels of different sizes and shapes. This necessitates redesigning or adjusting the gripper when changing car models, increasing costs and time.

[0005] 2. Gripping Stability Issues: The steering wheel is a ring-shaped object with rounded corners on the gripping surface, making it prone to slipping during handling. The robot originally had a pressure detection device to ensure sufficient air pressure during operation. The accuracy of the gripper's gripping position relies on the operator's control. However, the gripper needs a structure to prevent the steering wheel from tipping over, ensuring it won't fall or get damaged during handling and assembly. However, existing gripper mechanisms are often designed too simply, failing to provide sufficient gripping stability and protection.

[0006] To address the above issues, how to provide a robotic gripper that improves the adaptability and stability of the gripper, making it suitable for both teaching and practical use in gripping steering wheels, is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to propose a robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel, which solves the problems of poor adaptability and poor stability of existing robotic grippers when gripping steering wheels.

[0008] The technical solution of this utility model is a robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel, comprising:

[0009] The substrate has a mounting hole in the middle, which can be connected to the robot's wrist; with the mounting hole as the center, three sets of elongated holes are provided on the outer edge of the substrate around the mounting hole;

[0010] The gripper assembly is connected to a set of elongated holes. The position of the gripper assembly within the elongated holes is adjusted according to the specifications of the steering wheel. The lower part of the gripper assembly has an extended gripper with an arc structure that mates with the steering wheel.

[0011] Furthermore, the substrate is an equilateral triangular plate, and each of the elongated holes is located at the corresponding corner of the equilateral triangular plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the gripper assembly also includes a connecting block and a pneumatic valve. The connecting block is installed in the elongated hole via a first fastener, the pneumatic valve is installed on one side of the connecting block, and the extended gripper is installed below the pneumatic valve via a second fastener.

[0013] Furthermore, the pneumatic valve is a standard part, with its first air hole being an air inlet and its second air hole being an air outlet. The two grippers of the pneumatic valve are respectively connected to the extended gripper bodies of the two gripping areas within the extended gripper through a third fastener. The gripping area has an arc-shaped structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the extended gripper has a countersunk hole, which is connected to the third fastener.

[0015] Furthermore, the arrangement direction of each of the elongated holes is parallel to the line connecting the center of the corresponding pneumatic valve and the center of the substrate.

[0016] Furthermore, the substrate surrounding the elongated hole has scale lines and graduations.

[0017] Furthermore, the gripper assembly is installed with reference to the inner sides of the three connecting blocks, and the three connecting blocks are all aligned with the same scale line and scale.

[0018] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] This invention solves the problem of the current lack of suitable robotic grippers for gripping steering wheels by adjusting three sets of gripper assemblies proportionally within an elongated hole. It is suitable for gripping steering wheels of different sizes. The extended grippers feature an arc structure that mates with the steering wheel, resolving the issue of existing robotic grippers easily tipping over when grasping a steering wheel. The gripping is more stable. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel provided by this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the gripper assembly of a robot gripper for holding a steering wheel provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 A bottom view of a robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel, provided for utility model purposes;

[0024] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates how the gripper assembly can grip a steering wheel of one size.

[0025] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates how the gripper assembly can grip a steering wheel of another size.

[0026] Figure 6 This illustration shows a robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel, as provided by this utility model. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a medium-sized steering wheel;

[0027] Figure 7 This illustration shows a robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel, as provided by this utility model. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a medium-sized steering wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0029] Currently, most car steering wheels are installed manually on production lines, and there are no dedicated robotic grippers for picking them up, which cannot meet the needs of educational applications. Existing robotic grippers suffer from insufficient adaptability and poor stability when used to grasp steering wheels.

[0030] In view of this, the present invention provides a robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel, see attached figure. Figure 1 and 2The system includes: a base plate 1, which has a mounting hole 11 in the middle for connecting to the robot's wrist; three sets of elongated holes 12 are provided on the outer edge of the base plate 1, centered on the mounting hole 11; a gripper assembly 2, each gripper assembly 2 being connected to a set of elongated holes 12, and the position of the gripper assembly 2 within the elongated holes 12 is adjusted according to the specifications of the steering wheel; and an extended gripper 23 is provided at the lower part of the gripper assembly 2, the extended gripper 23 having an arc structure 231 that mates with the steering wheel.

[0031] The robotic gripper provided by the above solution is ingeniously designed to grip steering wheels of different sizes and ensures stable and reliable gripping through precise adjustments.

[0032] In an embodiment of this invention, the substrate 1 is an equilateral triangular plate, and each of the elongated holes 12 is located at a corresponding corner of the equilateral triangular plate. The equilateral triangular shape of the substrate helps ensure structural balance and stability, allowing the clamping force to be evenly distributed around the steering wheel. The three sets of elongated holes designed on the substrate are located at the three corners of the equilateral triangle; this layout facilitates effective adjustment of the gripper assembly according to the size and shape of different steering wheels.

[0033] See appendix Figure 2 , 4 In addition to the 5th component, the gripper assembly 2 further includes a connecting block 21 and a pneumatic valve 22. The connecting block 21 is installed in the elongated hole 12 via a first fastener. The pneumatic valve 22 is installed on one side of the connecting block 21. The extended gripper 23 is installed below the pneumatic valve 22 via a second fastener. Each gripper assembly has one connecting block, one pneumatic valve, and two extended grippers. The top surface of the connecting block has two threaded holes, symmetrically arranged on both sides, for fixing it below the base plate. The front surface has two symmetrically arranged mounting through holes, which are fixedly connected to the valve body of the pneumatic valve by screws.

[0034] The connecting block is adjusted and fixed in position within the elongated hole by a first fastener, which allows the gripper to be adjusted according to different steering wheel specifications.

[0035] Advantageously, the pneumatic valve 22 is a standard part, with its first air inlet and second air outlet. The two grippers of the pneumatic valve are connected to the two opposing gripping areas within the extended gripper 23 via a third fastener; the gripping areas have an arc-shaped structure. The pneumatic valve acts as a drive mechanism, controlling the opening and closing of the extended grippers. Its standardized design simplifies maintenance and replacement. Existing designs are used. The extended grippers are designed with an arc-shaped structure to mate with the steering wheel, increasing the contact area and stability during gripping.

[0036] The pneumatic valve has a threaded mounting hole and is fixedly connected to the connecting block by screws. The function of the pneumatic valve is as follows: when air enters through the air inlet and exits through the air outlet, the valve core moves downward, pushing the gripper to open; when air enters through the air outlet and exits through the air inlet, the valve core moves upward, pulling the gripper to clamp; the pneumatic valve gripper has a threaded hole, and an extended gripper is externally connected according to the cross-sectional shape of the steering wheel.

[0037] The steering wheel can be clamped or released when all three sets of grippers clamp or open simultaneously.

[0038] Advantageously, the extended gripper 23 has a countersunk hole, which mates with a third fastener. The countersunk hole is designed to install the third fastener, ensuring a tight connection between the gripper and the pneumatic valve.

[0039] The extended gripper has two countersunk mounting holes, which connect to the pneumatic valve gripper via screws. The extended gripper is a component for gripping the steering wheel; its gripping position is designed in an arc shape, allowing it to conform to the different cross-sectional sizes of various steering wheel sizes. The arc surface also confines the steering wheel within a certain space during gripping, preventing it from jumping or tipping over during the process.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0041] In embodiments of this invention, the arrangement direction of each elongated hole 12 is parallel to the line connecting the center of its corresponding pneumatic valve 22 and the center of the substrate 1. This ensures that the adjustment of the clamping assembly is always within the elongated hole.

[0042] See appendix Figure 3 , 6 7. The substrate 1 around the elongated hole 12 has scale lines and graduations 3. The scale lines and graduations around the elongated hole provide the operator with a reference for precisely adjusting the position of the gripper to ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the gripping. The gripper assembly 2 is installed with reference to the inner sides of the three connecting blocks 21, and all three connecting blocks 21 are aligned with the same scale line and graduation 3.

[0043] Installation and adjustment

[0044] Installation based on the inner side of the connecting blocks: The installation of the gripper assembly is based on the inner side of the three connecting blocks, ensuring the consistency and symmetry of the installation.

[0045] Scale alignment: All three connecting blocks are aligned with the same scale line and graduation, which further improves clamping accuracy and ease of operation. The aligned scale corresponds to the diameter of the center circle of the steering wheel gripped by the gripper.

[0046] This invention's robotic gripper is designed with adaptability, stability, and ease of operation in mind. Through its equilateral triangular base plate, adjustable gripper assembly, and precise scale lines, it can be adapted to various steering wheel sizes, providing a stable and reliable gripping effect. Furthermore, the use of pneumatic valves simplifies and simplifies the opening and closing control of the grippers, while the arc structure on the extended grippers ensures a good fit with the steering wheel. This robotic gripper is efficient, precise, and easy to operate, making it suitable for automated driving testing or automated steering wheel assembly, and also meets the needs of educational applications.

[0047] It is worth noting that the terms "first," "second," and "third" in this utility model are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. In this utility model, a "fastener" can be a bolt.

[0048] This invention enables the automated gripping, handling, and assembly of steering wheels. Specifically, this gripper can be mounted on an industrial robot and integrated with the robot's control system to replace traditional manual operation, achieving automated steering wheel gripping on production lines, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing costs. The gripper helps improve the quality stability of steering wheel assembly and reduce the defect rate. Using a robotic gripper can reduce worker exposure to repetitive, high-intensity tasks, thus improving the working environment and worker health. The main application of the robotic gripper for gripping steering wheels is to automate and intelligently assemble steering wheels (and similar steering wheel parts) in the automotive manufacturing industry or other industries, improving production efficiency, quality, and safety.

[0049] The substrate and extended gripper of this invention can be made of high-strength materials, selecting materials with high strength and wear resistance to improve the durability and service life of the gripper. While maintaining strength and rigidity, the weight of the gripper should be reduced as much as possible to improve the robot's movement speed and flexibility. Considering the various factors in the automotive manufacturing environment, the materials should have good corrosion resistance. For example, the substrate can be made of aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, or carbon fiber composite material, and the extended gripper can be made of stainless steel, hard-coated steel, or ceramic material, or POM, short for polyoxymethylene, an engineering plastic with high strength, high rigidity, and excellent wear resistance.

[0050] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel, characterized in that, include: The substrate (1) has a mounting hole (11) in the middle, which can be connected to the wrist of the robot; with the mounting hole (11) as the center, three sets of elongated holes (12) are provided on the outer edge of the substrate (1) around the mounting hole (11). The gripper assembly (2) is connected to a set of elongated holes (12). The position of the gripper assembly (2) in the elongated holes (12) is adjusted according to the specifications of the steering wheel. The lower part of the gripper assembly (2) has an extended gripper (23), and the extended gripper (23) has an arc structure (231) that cooperates with the steering wheel.

2. The robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate (1) is an equilateral triangular plate, and each of the elongated holes (12) is located at the corresponding corner of the equilateral triangular plate.

3. The robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gripper assembly (2) further includes a connecting block (21) and a pneumatic valve (22). The connecting block (21) is installed in the elongated hole (12) by a first fastener. The pneumatic valve (22) is installed on one side of the connecting block (21). The extended gripper (23) is installed below the pneumatic valve (22) by a second fastener.

4. The robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pneumatic valve (22) is a standard part. Its first air hole is an air inlet and its second air hole is an air outlet. The two grippers of the pneumatic valve are respectively connected to the two clamping areas of the extended gripper (23) through the third fastener. The clamping area is an arc-shaped structure.

5. A robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The extended gripper (23) has a countersunk hole, which is connected to the third fastener.

6. A robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The arrangement direction of each of the elongated holes (12) is parallel to the line connecting the center of the corresponding pneumatic valve (22) and the center of the substrate (1).

7. A robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, The substrate (1) around the elongated hole (12) has scale lines and scales (3).

8. A robotic gripper for holding a steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that, The gripper assembly (2) is installed with reference to the inside of the three connecting blocks (21), and the three connecting blocks (21) are all aligned with the same scale line and scale (3).

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