Air Chuck Finger Support Locking for Manual Safe 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, particularly when the air supply is interrupted 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 detach the finger support part from the chuck main body part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an air cylinder is used for automatic replacement of the finger support part, then the linking mechanism can be automated, but the structure becomes complex and requires air pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the air cylinder and air pipe components from the system. Instead of using automated pneumatic actuation, the design employs a purely manual linking mechanism where the finger support part is attached and detached by hand operations, thereby eliminating the complex pneumatic subsystem while maintaining the core functionality of replaceable fingers.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking mechanism is designed to be self-sufficient without requiring external pneumatic power sources. The manual operation allows the operator to directly engage and disengage the linking mechanism, making the system self-serviceable and eliminating dependence on complex automated systems.
2Extent of automation
If an air cylinder is used for automatic linking, then the linking process is automated, but the finger support part cannot be detached when air supply is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the air cylinder component that prevents manual operation during air supply interruptions. By eliminating the pneumatic actuator, the system allows direct manual manipulation of the linking mechanism, enabling operators to attach and detach the finger support part regardless of air supply status.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a system that automates linking and requires reversal for detachment, the invention inverts the approach by making both linking and detachment manually operable from the start. This allows the same manual operation to perform both attachment and detachment functions.
3Ease of operation
If draw latches are fixed to the outer side surface of the chuck main body part, then manual attachment and detachment is enabled, but the linking state becomes unstable due to external exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention embeds the linking mechanism within the internal structure of the chuck main body part rather than exposing it externally. The linking components are nested inside the body, protecting them from external contact and damage while maintaining manual operability for attachment and detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking mechanism is repositioned from an external surface location to an internal location within the chuck body. This dimensional relocation moves the critical linking components away from the vulnerable external environment into the protected internal space, enhancing stability while preserving functionality.
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, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a press spring that exerts energizing force on the press member toward the press position
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To link a finger support part easily and stably to a chuck main body part and to detach the finger support part safely and readily from the chuck main body part through a manual operation. [Solution] An air chuck includes: a finger support part 2 including a pair of fingers 5; a chuck main body part 3 including an operation mechanism 6 operable to open and close the pair of fingers 5; and linking mechanisms 4 that detachably link the finger support part 2 to the chuck main body part 3. The linking mechanisms 4 each include: a linking shaft that extends from the finger support part 2; a shaft insertion hole 44 formed in a body 23 of the chuck main body part 3; a catch body 19 that becomes elastically caught on a catch surface 18a of the linking shaft when the linking shaft is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 44; and a delinking member 70 that is manually operated so as to release the catch body 19 caught on the catch surface 18a when the finger support part 2 is detached from the chuck main body part 3.