Adjustable Gripping Device for Sheet Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices for large format sheet-shaped elements, such as tiles or glass sheets, face challenges in adapting to varying pile dimensions, facilitating easy maneuverability, and providing a stable grip, especially when the elements have irregular shapes or undercuts, while also being compact and lightweight for efficient storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device comprising a pair of adjustable longitudinal bars with suction gripping members, a transverse crossbar, and interconnection bodies that allow for adjustable length and orientation, enabling flexible positioning and handling of sheet-shaped elements with regular or irregular shapes, and reducing the device's weight and dimensions for easier storage and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gripping device uses rigid bars with suction cups to grip sheet-shaped elements, then the grip stability is improved, but the device cannot adapt to varying pile dimensions and irregular shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the longitudinal bars telescopic with adjustable lengths. The bars can extend or retract to adapt to different pile heights and element sizes while maintaining grip stability through suction cups. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to handle both regular and irregular shapes effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device is divided into modular components including multiple longitudinal bars, crossbars, and suction cup assemblies. Each longitudinal bar can be independently adjusted, and the bars are connected through interconnection bodies allowing flexible configuration. This segmentation enables adaptation to various pile dimensions and irregular shapes while maintaining stable gripping through distributed suction points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gripping device uses adjustable length bars to adapt to different formats, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic longitudinal bars are designed with nested segments that slide within each other. The interconnection bodies use nested structural elements where crossbars can be inserted into and locked onto the longitudinal bars at various positions. This nesting approach provides adjustability without requiring complex external mechanisms, keeping the device relatively simple while achieving versatility.
3Volume of moving object
If the gripping device is made compact for storage, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the ease of operation for maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device features collapsible and telescopic components that allow it to be compacted for storage and expanded for operation. The longitudinal bars can be retracted into each other, and the crossbars can be folded or removed. During handling operations, the bars extend to provide adequate leverage and control, ensuring ease of maneuverability while maintaining compact storage capability.
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
The solution provides a stable and adaptable grip for large format sheet-shaped elements, enhancing maneuverability and safety during handling and laying operations, while minimizing the device's weight and storage space, allowing for efficient preparation and dismantling.
Implementation Method 1
rigid bars provided with a series of suction cups adapted to adhere to an upper surface of the sheet-shaped element
Data Source
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AI summary
A gripping device (10) for sheet-shaped elements (L) comprising: at least one longitudinal bar (20) adjustable in length and provided with a plurality of suction gripping members (30) connected along a longitudinal axis (A) of the longitudinal bar (20).