Adjustable Pitch Gripping System for Contact Rows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gripping systems for rows of contacts require multiple grippers with different pitches, leading to complex operations when adjusting the pitch between adjacent contacts, as they cannot adjust the gripping pitch once the contacts are clamped.

Innovation Solution

A gripping system with a row of grippers and a pitch adjustment device that allows for sliding of grippers along a support frame, utilizing a first pushing mechanism and drive mechanism to adjust the pitch between adjacent grippers, and an opening and closing control device for automatic operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single gripper with constant gripping pitch is used to grip a row of contacts, then the structure is simple, but the pitch between adjacent contacts cannot be adjusted once clamped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripper structureVSAvoidpitch adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper support is designed to be movable along the support frame instead of fixed, allowing the gripping pitch to be dynamically adjusted. The pitch adjustment device enables the gripper support to slide to different positions, changing the distance between adjacent grippers according to different contact row pitches, thus resolving the contradiction between simple structure and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping system is divided into independent modular components: multiple grippers, movable gripper supports, and a pitch adjustment device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling pitch adjustment without redesigning the entire gripper structure, maintaining simplicity while adding versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple grippers with different gripping pitches are used to accommodate different pitch requirements, then the pitch adaptability is improved, but the gripping operation becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepitch adaptabilityVSAvoidgripping operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple specialized grippers for different pitches, the invention creates a universal gripper system where a single type of gripper can adapt to different pitch requirements. The movable gripper support allows the same gripper configuration to serve multiple pitch specifications, simplifying operations while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static fixed-pitch grippers to dynamic adjustable-pitch grippers. The pitch adjustment device enables real-time modification of the gripping pitch during operation, eliminating the need to switch between different gripper types or configurations, thus simplifying the gripping operation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the gripper is fixedly attached to the support frame, then the structure is stable, but the pitch between adjacent grippers cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripper attachment stabilityVSAvoidpitch adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment between gripper support and support frame is changed from fixed to movable. The gripper support can slide along the support frame while maintaining stable attachment through the pushing mechanism and limiting blocks, enabling pitch adjustment without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gripper support acts as an intermediary component between the fixed support frame and the movable grippers. It provides a stable mounting base for grippers while itself being movable along the support frame, thus decoupling the stability requirement from the pitch adjustment requirement and resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3589460B1Gripping system
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP3589460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3589460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3589460B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a gripping system, including: a gripping device (100) comprising a row of grippers (110) arranged in a first direction (X) and adapted to grip a row of contacts (1); and a pitch adjustment device (200, 300) adapted to adjust a pitch between adjacent grippers (110) of the row of grippers (110). The gripping device (100) further comprises a support frame (150) on which at least two grippers of the row of grippers (110) are slidably attached; and the pitch adjustment device (200, 300) is adapted to drive the at least two grippers (110) of the row of grippers (110) to slide in the first direction (X), so as to adjust the pitch between adjacent grippers (110). The pitch between the contacts of a row of contacts gripped on a row of grippers may be simply adjusted, thereby simplifying the gripping operation of the contacts.