Air Chuck Finger Linking Mechanism for Stable Manual Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air chucks face challenges in linking a finger support part stably to a chuck main body part and detaching it safely and easily, with complex structures and instability in linking mechanisms, especially when air supply is interrupted or during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The air chuck employs parallel linking shafts with catch surfaces and delinking mechanisms, including a catch body, press member, and press spring, allowing for manual operation to release the catch body and facilitate easy detachment, ensuring stable linking and safe detachment through a catch-body hold mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an air cylinder is used for automatic replacement of the finger support part, then the replacement speed is improved, but the device complexity increases and requires air pipe connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the air cylinder and air pipe system from the linking mechanism, extracting the pneumatic automation component while retaining the manual operation capability. The finger support part is now linked and delinked through simple manual operation members without requiring complex pneumatic systems, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining replacement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The operator directly operates the delinking member to detach the finger support part, eliminating the need for an intermediate air cylinder system. The manual operation member enables the operator to directly control the delinking action, simplifying the system while maintaining operational speed through direct human intervention
2Extent of automation
If an air cylinder is used for automatic replacement, then automation level is improved, but the reliability decreases when air supply is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The manual operation member enables direct operator control over the delinking process, making the system self-sufficient without external air supply. The operator can independently detach the finger support part at any time, ensuring the system remains reliable and operational even when air supply is interrupted or during maintenance periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the linking and delinking functions into independent manual operations, allowing the delinking action to be performed independently of air supply status. This segmentation enables the system to maintain reliability by allowing manual intervention whenever pneumatic systems fail
3Device complexity
If draw latches are fixed on the outer side surface for manual operation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the linking stability decreases due to external exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The delinking member is nested within the chuck main body part, with the operation portion integrated into the body structure rather than exposed externally. The link shaft passes through the main body, and the delinking member is positioned inside, protecting the linking mechanism from external damage while maintaining manual operability through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the delinking mechanism from an external lateral position to an internal position within the chuck body, changing the spatial arrangement from external exposure to internal integration. This dimensional repositioning protects the linking interface from external contact damage while maintaining the simplicity of manual operation
4Ease of operation
If the hook and engagement portion are provided on the outside, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to possible disengagement or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion is nested within the chuck main body part, with the link shaft passing through the body and the engagement occurring internally. This nested arrangement protects the critical engagement interface from external contact that could cause disengagement or damage, while the delinking member provides accessible operation from the outside through the integrated design
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
This configuration enables easy and stable linking of the finger support part to the chuck main body part while allowing safe and manual detachment, improving operational efficiency and reliability, especially during maintenance or air supply interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a press spring that exerts energizing force on the press member toward the press position
Data Source
AI summary
An air chuck includes: a finger support part including a pair of fingers; a chuck main body part including an operation mechanism operable to open and close the pair of fingers; and linking mechanisms that detachably link the finger support part to the chuck main body part. The linking mechanisms each include: a linking shaft that extends from the finger support part; a shaft insertion hole formed in a body of the chuck main body part; a catch body that becomes elastically caught on a catch surface of the linking shaft when the linking shaft is inserted into the shaft insertion hole; and a delinking member that is manually operated so as to release the catch body caught on the catch surface when the finger support part is detached from the chuck main body part.