Adaptive Pin-and-Suction Gripper for Uneven Heavy Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic arms lack flexibility in gripping uneven and heavy objects, limiting their functionality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A robotic arm equipped with a gripper featuring a semi-circular body, suction unit, and an array of pins that adapt to the shape of a target object, providing support and secure gripping through mechanical pressure and suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional grippers are used for picking objects, then precise picking or coarse box picking can be achieved, but the robotic arm cannot handle uneven and heavy objects flexibly
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is divided into multiple functional components: a semi-circular body, a suction unit, and an array of pins. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function - the suction unit provides overall holding force while the pins adapt to local surface features, enabling reliable gripping of uneven and heavy objects
Solution Approach 2:
The pins are designed to be movable and adaptable, configured to adapt in a pre-set direction to take the shape of the target object. This dynamic adaptation allows the gripper to conform to irregular object surfaces, providing reliable support for uneven and heavy objects while maintaining versatility
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid gripper structure is used, then manufacturing and control are simplified, but the gripper cannot conform to the shape of uneven objects
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper employs an array of pins that can flex and adapt their configuration, similar to flexible elements, allowing the gripper to conform to the shape of target objects while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure based on a semi-circular body
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper design with a semi-circular body, suction unit, and adaptable pins creates a universal gripping mechanism that can handle various object shapes and sizes. The pins are configured to adapt in a pre-set direction to take the shape of the target object, providing both structural simplicity and shape conformity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and efficient handling of uneven and heavy objects by conforming to their shape, enhancing the robotic arm's versatility and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The suction unit is configured to hold the at least one target object in an inward direction during the operation of the robotic arm
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic arm is provided. The robotic arm includes a gripper. The gripper includes an elongated body; a semi-circular body includes a flat surface and a curved surface; a suction unit of a pre-defined shape operatively coupled to a center portion of the curved surface of the semi-circular body; an array of pins arranged around the suction unit, wherein each of the array of pins comprises a pin body and a pin head, wherein the head rests along the flat surface of the semi-circular body, wherein the pin body is extended along the curved surface of the semi-circular body. The array of pins is configured to take a shape of a target object to provide support for the target object during an operation of the robotic arm. The suction unit is configured to hold the target object in an inward direction during the operation of the robotic arm.