Adjustable Suction Gripper Manual Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic grippers require reconfiguration using tools, leading to significant delays and reduced productivity in collaborative environments where they need to handle objects of different sizes, shapes, weights, or surface structures.
Innovation Solution
A gripper design that allows for manual configuration without tools, featuring a plate with slots for attachment mechanisms, suction cups, and a suction manifold, enabling easy adjustment and repositioning by hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tool-based reconfiguration is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but significant delays occur reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional tool-based mechanical fastening systems with a hand-operable quick-release mechanism. The attachment mechanism features a clamp that can be rapidly opened and closed by hand without requiring screwdrivers, wrenches, or other tools, thereby maintaining secure attachment while dramatically reducing reconfiguration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable during operation. The quick-release clamp allows the suction cup position to be changed on-the-fly without shutting down the system or requiring complex disassembly, enabling rapid adaptation to different object sizes and shapes while maintaining operational productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable suction cups are used for different object sizes, then versatility is improved, but reconfiguration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is segmented into modular components: a fixed plate with predefined slot positions, adjustable arms that can be positioned at different slots, and independently adjustable suction cups. This segmentation allows each component to be adjusted separately using simple hand-operable mechanisms, providing high versatility without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanisms are designed with universal hand-operable quick-release clamps that can accommodate various suction cup sizes and positions. The same basic clamp design is used throughout the system, providing a universal interface that simplifies reconfiguration while maintaining the ability to handle diverse object types.
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 rapid and cost-effective configuration of the gripper for different tasks, improving productivity and reducing time and cost in collaborative environments.
Implementation Method 1
a suction manifold, one or more attachment mechanisms, and one or more suction cups. The one or more suction cups may each be attached to the plate via one of the attachment mechanisms and may be fluidly connected to the suction manifold.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper may include a plate, a suction manifold, one or more attachment mechanisms, and one or more suction cups. The plate may have a body and one or more extremities and each extremity may have one or more slots formed therethrough. The suction manifold may be connected to the body of the plate. The one or more suction cups may each be attached to the plate via one of the attachment mechanisms and may be fluidly connected to the suction manifold. The attachment mechanisms may each extend through one of the slots of the plate. Each attachment mechanism may be configured to be tightened, loosened, and repositioned by hand.