Automatic Pick-Up Equipment With Linear And Pivotal Gripping Mechanisms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic pick-up equipment lacks the capability to efficiently and flexibly handle components of different shapes and sizes, particularly in assembling electronic devices like electrical connectors, where manual or robotic selection and assembly are labor-intensive and inflexible.

Innovation Solution

An automatic pick-up equipment with a base mounted on a robot, featuring first and second pick-up devices with opposing gripping mechanisms that linearly reciprocate and pivotally rotate, respectively, allowing for the precise handling and assembly of components with varying dimensions and postures, including a rotation mechanism to adjust the posture of smaller components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual or robotic operation is used to select and assemble components, then the assembly process can be performed, but the operation is labor-intensive and inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handling different component shapesVSAvoidcomplexity of pick-up equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pick-up equipment is divided into multiple independent pick-up devices (first pick-up device with linear gripping mechanisms, second pick-up device with pivotal gripping mechanisms). Each device is specialized for specific component types, allowing flexible handling of different shapes while keeping individual device structures relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The equipment incorporates multiple types of gripping mechanisms (linear reciprocating mechanisms for first components, pivotal reciprocating mechanisms for second components) that can handle different component shapes and sizes. This multi-functional design enables a single equipment system to adapt to various component types without requiring completely different devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a single type of gripping mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot efficiently handle components of different shapes and sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency in picking up different componentsVSAvoidnumber of gripping mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping mechanisms are designed with dynamic movement capabilities - the first gripping mechanisms linearly reciprocate to adapt to first components, while the second gripping mechanisms pivotally reciprocate for second components. This dynamic adaptability allows each mechanism type to efficiently handle its designated component type, improving overall productivity without requiring an excessive number of fixed mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The equipment changes operational parameters by providing different movement modes (linear reciprocation for first gripping mechanisms, pivotal reciprocation for second gripping mechanisms). This parameter variation enables the system to efficiently handle different component geometries while maintaining a reasonable number of gripping mechanisms through standardized design patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If components are handled without posture adjustment, then the handling process is simple, but components with varying dimensions and postures cannot be precisely positioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision in positioning componentsVSAvoidcomplexity of rotation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation mechanism performs preliminary posture adjustment of components before they are transferred or assembled. By pre-positioning components in the correct orientation using the rotation mechanism, the system achieves precise positioning without requiring complex adjustments during subsequent assembly operations, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation mechanism acts as an intermediary device between the pick-up devices and the final assembly position. It mediates the orientation of components, allowing the gripping mechanisms to focus on secure grasping while the rotation mechanism handles posture adjustment, thus dividing complexity into manageable functional segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11260540B2Automatic pick-up equipment

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD

AI summary

An automatic pick-up equipment adapted to pick up components having different shapes includes a base mounted on a manipulator of a robot, a first pick-up device mounted on the base and including a pair of first gripping mechanisms opposite to each other, and a second pick-up device mounted on the base and including a pair of second gripping mechanisms opposite to each other and a rotation mechanism. The first gripping mechanisms are configured to linearly reciprocate relative to each other to grip a first component. The second gripping mechanisms are configured to pivotally reciprocate relative to each other to grip a second component. The rotation mechanism is configured to drive the second gripping mechanisms to rotate relative to the base to change a posture of the second component.