Adhesive Gripper Fingers for Delicate and Complex Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical grippers face challenges in grasping non-rigid, delicate, or complex objects due to difficulties in finger placement and limited grasping force, while vacuum grippers are inefficient for porous or textured objects and cannot handle heavy loads in zero-gravity conditions.
Innovation Solution
A robotic maneuvering system using adhesive contacts with gripper fingers that secure stickers or apply adhesive material to objects, allowing manipulation through adhesive attachment, combined with rigid or non-rigid mechanical fingers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid finger grippers are used to grasp objects, then large grasping forces can be applied, but the gripper cannot effectively grasp non-rigid, delicate, or complex objects due to difficulty in finger placement and limited adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sticker element as an intermediary between the gripper finger and the object. The sticker element has an adhesive surface that contacts the object, while the gripper finger contacts the non-adhesive surface of the sticker. This intermediary allows the rigid gripper finger to apply large forces without directly contacting and potentially damaging the object, while the adhesive sticker adapts to various object surfaces including non-rigid, delicate, and complex shapes.
2Ease of operation
If vacuum grippers are used to grasp objects, then a single gripper can lift and displace objects using outward pulling force, but the gripper is inefficient for porous or textured objects and cannot handle heavy loads in zero-gravity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vacuum suction mechanism with an adhesive-based attachment system. Instead of relying on pressure differentials that require smooth surfaces and atmospheric pressure, the adhesive sticker element creates direct molecular bonding with the object surface. This substitution enables reliable grasping of porous, textured, and complex surfaces, and maintains effectiveness in zero-gravity environments where vacuum grippers fail.
3Reliability
If vacuum grippers are used with smooth contact surfaces, then ideal vacuum conditions are achieved, but any small portion exposed to atmospheric conditions significantly decreases vacuum quality
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive sticker element is applied to the object surface before the gripper finger makes contact. This preliminary action ensures that the adhesive surface is already bonded to the object, creating a secure attachment that tolerates minor placement variations. The gripper finger then contacts the non-adhesive surface of the already-attached sticker, eliminating the need for precise alignment that vacuum grippers require.
4Strength
If rigid finger grippers are used for complex objects, then finger placement planning becomes challenging to the point where grasping becomes implausible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grasping function into two independent components: the sticker element that provides adaptive surface contact, and the gripper finger that provides mechanical force. This segmentation simplifies the control system, as the sticker can be applied to various locations on complex objects without requiring complex finger placement planning. The gripper finger simply needs to contact the non-adhesive surface of the sticker, greatly reducing planning complexity.
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 efficient grasping and manipulation of a variety of objects, including non-rigid and complex ones, without deformation or breakage, and overcomes limitations of traditional grippers in zero-gravity environments.
Implementation Method 1
The sticker element comprises an adhesive distal side configured to engage and be adhered to an object
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a robotic maneuvering system for maneuvering objects by means of an adhesive attachment. The robotic maneuvering system comprises a gripper finger connected to a gripper arm. The gripper finger is configured to grasp an object to be manipulated, by means of an adhesive contact. The gripper arm maneuvers the object to a desired location and the gripper finger releases the object at the desired location. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method.