Autonomous Suction Cup Vacuum Unit Using an Ejector Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suction cup units for processing slabs are cumbersome, expensive, and require external vacuum sources, making them impractical for applications like numerical control machines and robot manipulators.
Innovation Solution
A suction cup unit with an ejector-effect device and pressurized air reservoir generates vacuum independently, using a pressure reducing valve to reduce air pressure from 15-20 bars to 4-5 bars, and includes an electronic control unit for remote operation, allowing autonomous operation without an external vacuum source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a suction pump is arranged inside the suction cup unit to generate vacuum independently, then the suction cup unit can operate autonomously without external vacuum connections, but the device becomes relatively complicated, expensive, and has large size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vacuum generation function from the complex suction pump and implements it through a simpler ejector device. The ejector uses a pressurized air reservoir and nozzle system to create vacuum without requiring a mechanical pump, thereby achieving autonomous operation while reducing device complexity, cost, and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical suction pump system with a pneumatic ejector system. Instead of using a mechanical pump to create vacuum, the system uses pressurized air flow through a nozzle to generate the necessary vacuum, substituting a complex mechanical system with a simpler pneumatic one.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible tubes are used to connect suction cup units to an external vacuum source, then the suction cup units can be positioned freely on the work surface, but the flexible tubes represent an encumbrance that reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for external vacuum connections and flexible tubes by integrating a compact vacuum generation system directly into the suction cup unit. This extraction of the external vacuum dependency eliminates the encumbering flexible tubes while preserving positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup unit becomes self-sufficient by generating its own vacuum through the integrated ejector device and pressurized air reservoir. The unit serves itself without requiring external vacuum infrastructure, thereby eliminating the need for flexible tube connections and improving ease of operation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a pressure reducing valve is interposed in the connection between the pressurized air reservoir and the nozzle, then the reservoir can be charged at high pressure (15-20 bars) for high autonomy, but the pressure reducing valve adds device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized air reservoir is pre-charged to high pressure (15-20 bars) before operation, storing energy in advance. The pressure reducing valve is set to deliver the appropriate operating pressure (4-5 bars) to the ejector, allowing the system to maintain high autonomy duration while managing pressure requirements.
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
The solution provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and simple suction cup unit with high autonomy, enabling efficient gripping and release of workpieces without the need for external vacuum connections, suitable for various applications including numerical control machines and robot manipulators.
Implementation Method 1
a device for autonomously generating a vacuum, characterized in that it comprises an ejector-effect device, configured to generate a vacuum by feeding a flow of pressurized air through a nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A suction cup unit for gripping workpieces comprises a suction cup member (2) carried by a support body (4) within which a device is arranged for autonomously generating a vacuum to be applied to the suction cup member (2). The vacuum generator device includes an ejector-effect device (9), configured to generate a vacuum by supplying a flow of pressurized air through a nozzle (10), a reservoir (5) of pressurized air connected to the nozzle (10), at least one electrically-operated valve (17) for controlling the connection between the pressurized air reservoir (5) and the nozzle (10), and a connecting line (11) between the nozzle (10)) and the suction cup member (2), for transmitting a vacuum to the suction cup member (2) when pressurized air is made to flow through the nozzle (10).