Padded lift device

Abstract

To provide a lift device with a pad that can hold an article with gripping force generated through deformation of a skirt part by applying negative suction force and also easily take the article into the skirt part since the skirt part expands in a free state toward a tip.SOLUTION: A pad 42 of a lift device 10 with the pad has a connection part 44 which is fitted to an end part of a body 12, and a flexible skirt part 46 which expands toward a tip, and air flowing along an end face of a body flows inside the skirt part to make the skirt part deform so that the tip shrivels inward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pad-equipped lift device that adsorbs and transports an article (workpiece). [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Padded lift devices have been known in the past that utilize the Bernoulli effect caused by high-speed air flow to generate vacuum pressure inside a pad, thereby holding and transporting various articles.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a suction hand equipped with a non-contact chuck that generates negative pressure and a bellows-shaped suction pad. With this suction hand, when the suction pad is brought into contact with the object to be sucked from above and a negative pressure is created in the space surrounded by the suction pad and the surface of the object, the object is sucked and held by the suction pad.

[0004] However, because conventional padded lifting devices rely solely on the suction effect of negative pressure to hold items, there is a limit to how much holding force can be increased, and if the holding force is excessively strong, there is a risk that the items may be damaged during lifting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6535847 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a padded lift device that includes a body and a pad and that sucks up objects by the Bernoulli effect. The pad has a connecting portion attached to the end of the body and a flexible skirt portion that expands toward its tip. When air flows along the end face of the body, it flows inside the skirt portion of the pad, causing the tip of the skirt portion to deform so as to collapse inward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The padded lift device of the present invention can hold objects by the gripping force generated by the deformation of the skirt portion in addition to the suction force generated by the negative pressure. Furthermore, since the skirt portion expands toward the tip in a free state, objects can be easily taken inside the skirt portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a padded lift device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the padded lift device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the padded lift device of FIG. 1 when the pad is deformed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the padded lifting device of FIG. 1 when the pad is deformed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the padded lift device of FIG. 1 when holding a spherical object. [Figure 6] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing modified examples of pads with different tip opening shapes. [Figure 7] Figure 7A shows a modified example of a pad with a beam, and Figure 7B shows the pad of Figure 7A after deformation. [Figure 8] 8A to 8C are diagrams showing modified examples of pads with cutouts. [Figure 9] 9A to 9C are diagrams showing modified examples of the pad provided with pleats. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 shows a modified example of a pad having a relief groove. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a cylindrical object is held by the padded lift device equipped with the pad of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a padded lift device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view of the padded lift device of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a padded lift device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a padded lift device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 16 is a bottom view of the padded lift device of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a padded lift device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 18 is a bottom view of the padded lift device of FIG. 17. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) A padded lift device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the following description, when terms relating to up and down directions are used, they refer to directions on the drawings for convenience and do not limit the actual arrangement. Note that Figure 1 does not show a cross section cut along a single continuous plane, and the left and right halves of Figure 1 each show cross sections cut in directions that are 90 degrees apart around the axis X. The same applies to Figures 3 and 5.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the padded lift device 10 is composed of a body 12, a deflector 26, and a pad 42. The cylindrical body 12 has a hole 14 in the center for attaching the deflector 26, and the hole 14 opens to the underside of the body 12. The underside (end face) of the body 12 has an annular first flat surface 16 in an area near the outer periphery. The first flat surface 16 is perpendicular to the axis X of the body 12 and forms an article holding surface. The hole 14 is connected to the first flat surface 16 via a second flat surface 18 and a curved surface 20.

[0012] The body 12 has a first port 22 and a second port 24. The first port 22 opens to the top surface of the body 12, and the second port 24 opens to a side surface of the body 12. The first port 22 is a port for generating negative pressure in the space below the body 12. The second port 24 is a port for generating positive pressure in the space below the body 12 and breaking the negative pressure (vacuum pressure), or for attaching a vacuum switch to monitor the negative pressure. Air from an air supply source (not shown) is introduced into the body 12 through the first port 22 or the second port 24.

[0013] The cylindrical deflector 26 includes a main body 28 that fits into the hole 14 of the body 12, and a flange 34 that extends radially outward from the lower part of the main body 28. The deflector 26 is fixed to the body 12 by inserting a bolt 40 into the body 12 from the upper surface of the body 12 and screwing it into the main body 28 of the deflector 26.

[0014] The side surface of the main body portion 28 of the deflector 26 has a first annular groove 30 that is continuous with the upper surface of the flange portion 34. The first annular groove 30 of the deflector 26 communicates with the first port 22 at a predetermined location in the circumferential direction. The first annular groove 30 cooperates with the wall surface of the hole portion 14 of the body 12 to form a flow path for air supplied from the first port 22. The side surface of the main body portion 28 of the deflector 26 has a second annular groove 32 at a position above the first annular groove 30. The second annular groove 32 of the deflector 26 communicates with the second port 24 at a predetermined location in the circumferential direction. When the negative pressure is released, the second annular groove 32 cooperates with the wall surface of the hole portion 14 of the body 12 to form a flow path for air supplied from the second port 24.

[0015] The upper surface of the flange portion 34 of the deflector 26 abuts against the second flat surface 18 of the body 12. The upper surface of the flange portion 34 has a plurality of nozzle grooves 36 extending radially. The plurality of nozzle grooves 36 communicate with the first annular groove 30 and form flow paths for the air supplied from the first port 22. The air supplied from the first port 22 is sprayed radially through the first annular groove 30 of the main body portion 28 and the nozzle grooves 36 of the deflector 26. The air sprayed from the nozzle grooves 36 flows along the curved surface 20 and the first flat surface 16 of the body 12.

[0016] The deflector 26 has a curved passage 38 that connects the second port 24 to the space below the deflector 26. One end of the curved passage 38 opens to the lower surface of the deflector 26. The other end of the curved passage 38 connects to the second annular groove 32 of the deflector 26 at a predetermined location in the circumferential direction. When breaking the negative pressure, air supplied from the second port 24 passes through the second annular groove 32 of the deflector 26 and the curved passage 38, and flows downward from the deflector 26.

[0017] The pad 42 has a cylindrical connecting portion 44 and a conical skirt portion 46 that continues below the connecting portion 44. The connecting portion 44 and the skirt portion 46 are integrally molded from a flexible resin such as silicone rubber or elastomer. The connecting portion 44 is attached to the outer periphery of the lower end of the body 12 by means of press fitting or the like. The axis X of the pad 42 coincides with the axis X of the body 12. In a free state, the skirt portion 46 tapers downward in diameter. That is, the skirt portion 46 expands toward the tip.

[0018] Next, the operation of the lift device with pad 10 when air is supplied from the air supply source to the first port 22 will be described.

[0019] The air supplied to the first port 22 passes through the first annular groove 30 and the nozzle groove 36 of the deflector 26, and then flows along the curved surface 20 and first flat surface 16 of the body 12. The air flowing along the first flat surface 16 collides with the inner surface of the skirt portion 46 of the pad 42, and then flows downward inside the skirt portion 46. Due to the Coanda effect, the flexible skirt portion 46 is bent and deformed as it is dragged by the air flowing inside the skirt portion 46 at high speed.

[0020] 3 and 4 conceptually illustrate the bending deformation of the skirt portion 46. The first portion 46a and the second portion 46b, which are located on opposite sides of the axis X of the pad 42, are closest to the axis X of the pad 42. The third portion 46c and the fourth portion 46d, which are located equidistant from the first portion 46a and the second portion 46b, are closest to the axis X of the pad 42. At this time, the inner volume of the skirt portion 46 becomes smaller. The skirt portion 46 does not necessarily deform into the shape shown in FIG. 4, but the tip (lower end) of the skirt portion 46, at least at two locations facing each other across the axis X of the pad 42, approaches the axis X of the pad 42 and deforms so as to shrink inward.

[0021] Next, an operation of holding an object by the padded lift device 10 will be described. The padded lift device 10 is attached to the arm of a conveying device (not shown), for example. An object (workpiece) (not shown) is placed in a predetermined location such as on the floor.

[0022] The conveying device is driven, and the padded lift device 10 approaches the article from above. After the article is placed inside the skirt portion 46, air from the air supply source is supplied to the first port 22 of the padded lift device 10. The air supplied to the first port 22 passes through the first annular groove 30 and the nozzle groove 36 of the deflector 26, and then flows along the curved surface 20 and first flat surface 16 of the body 12. The air flowing along the first flat surface 16 collides with the inner surface of the skirt portion 46 of the pad 42, and then flows downward inside the skirt portion 46.

[0023] When an object enters the inside of the skirt portion 46, the gap between the inner surface of the skirt portion 46 and the object narrows, and the gap between the object and the first flat surface 16 of the body 12 narrows as well. This increases the flow rate of air passing through these gaps, and a negative pressure is generated inside the skirt portion 46 above the object due to the Bernoulli effect. The object is sucked in and lifted. When a relatively large object is sucked in, the object abuts against the inner surface of the flexible skirt portion 46 before colliding with the body 12. This prevents the object from being damaged.

[0024] Furthermore, due to the Coanda effect, the flexible skirt portion 46 is bent and deformed as if being dragged by the air flowing at high speed inside the skirt portion 46. If the object W is spherical, such as a cherry tomato or strawberry, the skirt portion 46 deforms as shown in Figure 5. As the tip of the skirt portion 46 partially collapses inward, the object W is supported from below by the tip of the skirt portion 46. The object W is held by the padded lift device 10 by a combined force of the suction force due to the negative pressure and the gripping force due to the deformation of the skirt portion 46.

[0025] According to the padded lift device 10 of this embodiment, when air flows at high speed inside the skirt portion 46 of the pad 42, the tip of the flexible skirt portion 46 deforms so as to contract inward, thereby supporting an article from below. Therefore, in addition to the suction force due to the negative pressure, the article can be held by the gripping force caused by the deformation of the skirt portion 46. Furthermore, since the skirt portion 46 expands toward the tip in a free state, an article can be easily taken inside the skirt portion 46. Similar actions or effects can be obtained with the modified examples described below.

[0026] (Variations of pads with different tip opening shapes) In the pad-equipped lift device 10 described above, the skirt portion 46 of the pad 42 is conical, but the skirt portion may have the shapes shown in Figs. 6A to 6C depending on the shape of the article to be held.

[0027] 6A has a cylindrical connecting portion 50 and a skirt portion 52 that is continuous with the connecting portion 50. The skirt portion 52 becomes increasingly spaced from the axis of the pad 48 as it moves away from the connecting portion 50. In other words, the skirt portion 52 expands toward the tip. The tip opening of the skirt portion 52 has an elliptical shape.

[0028] A pad 54 of a second modified example shown in Fig. 6B has a cylindrical connecting portion 56 and a skirt portion 58 connected to the connecting portion 56. The skirt portion 58 widens toward its tip. The shape of the tip opening of the skirt portion 58 is rectangular. When cut along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pad 54, the outline of the skirt portion 58 gradually changes from a circle to a rectangle as it moves away from the connecting portion 56.

[0029] A pad 60 of a third modified example shown in Fig. 6C has a cylindrical connecting portion 62 and a skirt portion 64 connected to the connecting portion 62. The skirt portion 64 widens toward its tip. The shape of the tip opening of the skirt portion 64 is hexagonal. When cut along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pad 60, the outline of the skirt portion 64 gradually changes from a circle to a hexagon as it moves away from the connecting portion 62.

[0030] (Modification of pad with beam) A modification of the pad of the padded lift device 10 described above, which includes a beam, is shown in FIG. 7A.

[0031] A pad 66 of a fourth modified example shown in Fig. 7A has a cylindrical connecting portion 68 and a conical skirt portion 70 that is continuous with the connecting portion 68. The skirt portion 70 moves away from the axis of the pad 66 as it moves away from the connecting portion 68. In other words, the skirt portion 70 widens toward its tip. The skirt portion 70 has a plurality of beams 72 that extend along the generatrix of the skirt portion 70. Each beam 72 extends from the tip of the skirt portion 70 to the connecting portion 68. The plurality of beams 72 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the pad 66.

[0032] The skirt portion 70 is partially reinforced by the presence of multiple beams 72. Fig. 7B shows the state of the skirt portion 70 when it is bent. When air flows at high speed inside the skirt portion 70, the skirt portion 70 deforms by collapsing inward in the areas between adjacent beams 72. The skirt portion 70 does not deform in the areas where the beams 72 are present, and is able to maintain its overall strength.

[0033] (Modification of pad with notches) Modified examples of the pad of the padded lift device 10 described above, which have cutouts, are shown in Figs. 8A to 8C.

[0034] A pad 82 of a fifth modified example shown in Fig. 8A has a cylindrical connecting portion 84 and a conical skirt portion 86 that is continuous with the connecting portion 84. The skirt portion 86 moves away from the axis of the pad 82 as it moves away from the connecting portion 84. In other words, the skirt portion 86 widens toward its tip. The skirt portion 86 has a plurality of notches 88. Each notch 88 extends from the tip of the skirt portion 86 to the vicinity of the connecting portion 84. The plurality of notches 88 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the pad 82. Because the skirt portion 86 has a plurality of notches 88, it has a large degree of freedom of deformation and can grip objects of various shapes.

[0035] A pad 90 of a sixth modified example shown in FIG. 8B has a cylindrical connecting portion 92 and a conical skirt portion 94 connected to the connecting portion 92. The skirt portion 94 expands toward its tip. The tip of the skirt portion 94 has a curved portion 96 that bends outward. The skirt portion 94 has multiple notches 98. Each notch 98 extends from the tip of the skirt portion 94, including the curved portion 96, to the vicinity of the connecting portion 92. The multiple notches 98 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the pad 90. Because the skirt portion 94 has multiple notches 98, it has a large degree of freedom of deformation and can grip objects of various shapes. Furthermore, because the skirt portion 94 has the curved portion 96 at its tip, the tip of the skirt portion 94 expands smoothly when pressed against the floor surface on which an object is placed, for example. This provides a cushioning effect and makes it easier to hold the object.

[0036] A pad 100 of a seventh modified example shown in FIG. 8C has a cylindrical connecting portion 102 and a conical skirt portion 104 connected to the connecting portion 102. The skirt portion 104 widens toward its tip. A plurality of notches 106 are formed from the tip of the skirt portion 104 to the connecting portion 102, and the skirt portion 104 is composed of a plurality of strip-shaped skirt pieces 104a. Adjacent skirt pieces 104a are partially overlapped with each other. Because the skirt portion 104 has a plurality of notches 106, it has a large degree of freedom of deformation and can grip objects of various shapes. Furthermore, because adjacent skirt pieces 104a are overlapped with each other, the negative pressure (vacuum pressure) generated inside the skirt portion 104 is not impaired.

[0037] (Modification of pleated pad) Modified examples of the pad of the padded lift device 10 described above, which have overlapping pleats, are shown in Figs. 9A to 9C.

[0038] A pad 108 of an eighth modified example shown in FIG. 9A has a cylindrical connecting portion 110 and a conical skirt portion 112 connected to the connecting portion 110. The skirt portion 112 moves away from the axis of the pad 108 as it moves away from the connecting portion 110. In other words, the skirt portion 112 widens toward its tip. The skirt portion 112 has a plurality of one-way pleats 114. Each one-way pleat 114 extends from the tip of the skirt portion 112 to the connecting portion 110. The plurality of one-way pleats 114 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the pad 108. Because the skirt portion 112 has a plurality of one-way pleats 114, it has a large degree of freedom of deformation and can grip objects of various shapes.

[0039] A pad 116 of a ninth modified example shown in Fig. 9B has a cylindrical connecting portion 118 and a conical skirt portion 120 that is continuous with the connecting portion 118. The skirt portion 120 widens toward its tip. The skirt portion 120 has a plurality of box pleats 122. Each box pleat 122 extends from the tip of the skirt portion 120 to the connecting portion 118. The plurality of box pleats 122 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the pad 116. Because the skirt portion 120 has a plurality of box pleats 122, it has a large degree of freedom of deformation and can grip objects of various shapes.

[0040] Pad 124 of a tenth modified example shown in FIG. 9C has a cylindrical connecting portion 126 and a skirt portion 128 that continues from connecting portion 126. Skirt portion 128 widens toward its tip. Skirt portion 128 has a plurality of accordion pleats 130. Each accordion pleat 130 extends from the tip of skirt portion 128 to connecting portion 126. The plurality of accordion pleats 130 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of pad 124. Because skirt portion 128 has a plurality of accordion pleats 130, it has a large degree of freedom of deformation and can grip objects of various shapes.

[0041] (Modification of pad with relief groove) 10 and 11 show a modified example of the pad of the pad-equipped lift device 10 described above, which has a relief groove for receiving articles.

[0042] 10 has a cylindrical connecting portion 134, a flat base portion 136 that spreads outward from the outer circumferential surface of connecting portion 134, and a skirt portion 138 that extends from the outer periphery of base portion 136 in the opposite direction to connecting portion 134. That is, pad 132 has base portion 136 that connects skirt portion 138 to connecting portion 134. Connecting portion 134, base portion 136, and skirt portion 138 are integrally molded from flexible resin such as silicone rubber or elastomer.

[0043] The outer periphery of the base 136 has a shape combining two straight long sides 136a and two curved short sides 136b. The skirt portion 138 has a pair of relief grooves 140 at positions corresponding to the short sides 136b of the base 136. Each relief groove 140 is formed from the tip of the skirt portion 138 to near the base 136. The skirt portion 138 has a pair of skirt pieces 138a at positions corresponding to the long sides 136a of the base 136. Each skirt piece 138a is inclined with respect to the axis of the pad 132 so that it moves away from the axis of the pad 132 as it moves away from the base 136.

[0044] The pad 132 is particularly suitable for holding an elongated article W. Fig. 11 shows a cylindrical article W being held by a padded lift device equipped with the pad 132. The cylindrical article W is inserted into a pair of relief grooves 140 in the skirt portion 138, and is supported from below by a pair of skirt pieces 138a whose tips are deformed inward.

[0045] (Second embodiment) Next, a padded lift device 150 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. In the padded lift device according to the second embodiment, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the padded lift device 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0046] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the padded lift device 150 is composed of the body 12, the deflector 26, the pad 42, and a retaining member 152. The pad 42 has a cylindrical connecting portion 44 and a conical skirt portion 46 connected to the connecting portion 44. The skirt portion 46 widens toward its tip. The inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 44 of the pad 42 is provided with an annular groove portion 44a. The cylindrical body 12 is provided with an annular flange portion 12a that protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the body 12. The pad 42 is attached to the body 12 by the flange portion 12a of the body 12 engaging with the groove portion 44a of the pad 42.

[0047] The retaining device 152 is composed of a first metal retaining device 154 and a second metal retaining device 156. The first retaining device 154 has an annular flat plate portion 154a and a cylindrical portion 154b that bends downward at a right angle from the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 154a. The cylindrical portion 154b of the first retaining device 154 fits into the connecting portion 44 of the pad 42 from the outside. The flat plate portion 154a of the first retaining device 154 abuts against the end face of the connecting portion 44 of the pad 42.

[0048] The second retainer 156 is made of a U-shaped plate and has a pair of engagement pieces 156a. The outer peripheral surface of the body 12 has an annular groove 12b at a position slightly spaced from the flange portion 12a. When the pair of engagement pieces 156a of the second retainer 156 engage with the groove 12b of the body 12, the flat plate portion 154a of the first retainer 154 is sandwiched between the end face of the connecting portion 44 of the pad 42 and the engagement pieces 156a of the second retainer 156. This reliably prevents the pad 42 from coming off the body 12.

[0049] (Third embodiment) Next, a padded lift device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the padded lift device according to the third embodiment, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the padded lift device 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0050] The padded lift device 160 is composed of the body 12, the deflector 26, the pad 42, and a retaining member 162. The pad 42 has a cylindrical connecting portion 44 and a conical skirt portion 46 that is continuous with the connecting portion 44. The skirt portion 46 widens toward its tip. The inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 44 of the pad 42 is provided with an annular groove portion 44a. The cylindrical body 12 is provided with an annular flange portion 12a that protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the body 12. The pad 42 is attached to the body 12 by the flange portion 12a of the body 12 engaging with the groove portion 44a of the pad 42.

[0051] The metal retainer 162 has a thick-walled first cylindrical portion 162a and a thin-walled second cylindrical portion 162b extending downward from the first cylindrical portion 162a. The first cylindrical portion 162a fits onto the body 12 from the outside. The second cylindrical portion 162b fits onto the connecting portion 44 of the pad 42 from the outside. The lower surface of the first cylindrical portion 162a abuts against the end surface of the connecting portion 44 of the pad 42. The screw member 164 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 162a from its side surface and threadedly engages with the side surface of the body 12, thereby fixing the retainer 162 to the body 12. This reliably prevents the pad 42 from coming off the body 12.

[0052] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a padded lift device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. In the padded lift device according to the fourth embodiment, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the padded lift device 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0053] As shown in Figure 15, the padded lift device 170 is composed of the body 12, the deflector 26, and the pad 42. The pad 42 has a cylindrical connecting portion 44, a conical skirt portion 46 connected to the connecting portion 44, and a mesh portion 172 disposed inside the skirt portion 46. The connecting portion 44 and the skirt portion 46 are made of flexible resin such as silicone rubber or elastomer. The mesh portion 172 is made of resin or metal and is insert-molded into the skirt portion 46.

[0054] The skirt portion 46 expands toward the tip. The connecting portion 44 of the pad 42 has an annular flange portion 44b that protrudes radially inward. The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 12 has an annular groove portion 12c. The pad 42 is attached to the body 12 by the flange portion 44b of the pad 42 engaging with the groove portion 12c of the body 12.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 15, the mesh portion 172 of the pad 42 is disposed adjacent to the body 12. As shown in Fig. 16, the mesh portion 172 of the pad 42 is composed of an annular ring portion 172a facing the lower surface of the deflector 26 and a plurality of bridging portions 172b extending radially from the outer periphery of the ring portion 172a. The mesh portion 172 is connected to the skirt portion 46 at the tips of the plurality of bridging portions 172b. The plurality of bridging portions 172b are disposed at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0056] The pad 42 of the padded lift device 170 has a mesh portion 172, which prevents the object to be sucked from colliding with the body 12. In addition, the connecting portion 44 and the skirt portion 46 are molded from a flexible resin, which provides a cushioning effect when the object to be sucked comes into contact with the mesh portion 172.

[0057] In this embodiment, the mesh portion 172 is insert-molded into the skirt portion 46, but the connecting portion 44, the skirt portion 46 and the mesh portion 172 may be integrally molded from the same material.

[0058] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a padded lift device 180 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 17 and 18. In the padded lift device 180 according to the fifth embodiment, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the padded lift device 10 described above are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0059] As shown in Figure 17, the padded lift device 180 is made up of the body 12, the deflector 26, and a pad 182. The pad 182 has a cylindrical connecting portion 184, a plate-like base portion 186 that extends in a ring shape from the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 184, and a skirt portion 188 that extends from the outer periphery of the base portion 186 in the opposite direction to the connecting portion 184. In other words, the pad 182 has the plate-like base portion 186 that connects the skirt portion 188 to the connecting portion 184. The connecting portion 184, the base portion 186, and the skirt portion 188 are integrally molded from a flexible resin such as silicone rubber or elastomer.

[0060] The skirt portion 188 widens toward the tip. As shown in Figure 18, the skirt portion 188 has a plurality of accordion pleats 190. Each accordion pleat 190 extends from the tip of the skirt portion 188 to the connecting portion 184. The plurality of accordion pleats 190 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the pad 182.

[0061] The connecting portion 184 of the pad 182 has an annular flange portion 184a that protrudes radially inward. The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 12 has an annular groove portion 12d. The pad 182 is attached to the body 12 by the flange portion 184a of the pad 182 engaging with the groove portion 12d of the body 12.

[0062] Pad 182 is suitable for holding relatively large items because it has a plate-like base 186 that connects skirt portion 188 to connecting portion 184. In addition, skirt portion 188 has a plurality of accordion pleats 190, which allows for a large degree of freedom of deformation and allows it to grip items of various shapes.

[0063] The padded lift device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10, 150, 160, 170...Pad-equipped lift device 12...Body 12b...Groove 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 82, 90, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132, 182…Pads 44, 50, 56, 62, 68, 84, 92, 102, 110, 118, 126, 134, 184...Connection part 46, 52, 58, 64, 70, 86, 94, 104, 112, 120, 128, 138, 188...Skirt section 72...Beam 88, 98, 106...Notches 96...Curved part 104a...skirt piece 114, 122, 130, 190...pleats 136, 186...base 136a...long side 136b...Short side 140...Undercut groove 152, 162... Stopper 154... First stopper 154a...flat plate portion 154b...cylindrical portion 156... Second retaining member 156a... Engagement piece 162a...first cylindrical portion 162b...second cylindrical portion 172…Amibe

Claims

1. A padded lift device that includes a body and a pad and that attracts an article by Bernoulli effect, The pad has a connecting portion attached to the end of the body and a flexible skirt portion that expands toward the tip, and when air flows along the end surface of the body, it flows inside the skirt portion of the pad, causing the tip of the skirt portion to deform so as to shrink inward, The skirt portion has a plurality of notches extending from the tip of the skirt portion to the vicinity of the connecting portion, and the tip of the skirt portion has a curved portion that bends outward.

2. A padded lift device comprising a body and a pad, which attracts an article by the Bernoulli effect, The pad has a connecting portion attached to the end of the body and a flexible skirt portion that expands toward the tip, and when air flows along the end surface of the body, it flows inside the skirt portion of the pad, causing the tip of the skirt portion to deform so as to shrink inward, A padded lift device in which the skirt portion has a plurality of notches formed from the tip of the skirt portion to the connecting portion, the skirt portion is composed of a plurality of strip-shaped skirt pieces arranged on the same circumference, and adjacent skirt pieces are partially overlapped with each other.

3. A padded lift device comprising a body and a pad, which attracts an article by the Bernoulli effect, The pad has a connecting portion attached to the end of the body and a flexible skirt portion that expands toward the tip, and when air flows along the end surface of the body, it flows inside the skirt portion of the pad, causing the tip of the skirt portion to deform so as to shrink inward, The skirt portion has a plurality of pleats extending from the tip of the skirt portion to the connecting portion.

4. A padded lift device comprising a body and a pad, which attracts an article by the Bernoulli effect, The pad has a connecting portion attached to the end of the body and a flexible skirt portion that expands toward the tip, and when air flows along the end surface of the body, it flows inside the skirt portion of the pad, causing the tip of the skirt portion to deform so as to shrink inward, The skirt portion is a padded lift device having a pair of relief grooves.

5. 5. The padded lift device of claim 4, The pad has a flat base that connects the skirt portion to the connecting portion, the outer periphery of the base has a shape that combines two long sides and two short sides, and the skirt portion has the escape groove at a position corresponding to the short sides of the base.

6. 5. The padded lift device of claim 4, The tip of the skirt portion is provided with a curved portion that bends outward.

7. A padded lift device comprising a body and a pad, which attracts an article by the Bernoulli effect, The pad has a connecting portion attached to the end of the body and a flexible skirt portion that expands toward the tip, and when air flows along the end surface of the body, it flows inside the skirt portion of the pad, causing the tip of the skirt portion to deform so as to shrink inward, A padded lift device having a stopper for preventing the pad from coming off the body.

8. 8. The padded lift device of claim 7, The anti-slip device is composed of a first anti-slip device and a second anti-slip device, the first anti-slip device has a flat portion that abuts against the end surface of the connecting portion of the pad and a cylindrical portion that fits into the connecting portion of the pad, the second anti-slip device has an engaging piece that engages with a groove portion of the body, and the flat portion of the first anti-slip device is clamped between the end surface of the connecting portion of the pad and the engaging piece of the second anti-slip device.

9. 8. The padded lift device of claim 7, The anti-slip device has a thick-walled first cylindrical portion and a thin-walled second cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion fits into the body, the second cylindrical portion fits into the connecting portion of the pad, and the end face of the first cylindrical portion abuts the end face of the connecting portion of the pad.

Images