Bi-stable Flow Valve Vacuum Gripper for Carbon Fiber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting complex-shaped carbon fiber composite work pieces is time-consuming and prone to fabric distortion, leading to reduced strength in the final composite part, as existing methods struggle to efficiently handle varying shapes and prevent scrap material pickup.
Innovation Solution
A robot end effector system with a reconfigurable valve assembly that selectively applies vacuum pressure along specific portions to grip and transport work pieces of varying shapes without distorting the fabric, using an array of valves that can be switched between open and closed states based on the work piece's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vacuum grippers are used to transport work pieces, then the work piece can be held and moved, but the fabric may be distorted and nearby scrap material may be accidentally picked up
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum gripper is divided into multiple independently controllable vacuum zones, each with its own vacuum source and control system. This segmentation allows selective application of vacuum to specific areas matching the work piece geometry, preventing fabric distortion while avoiding scrap material pickup.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the vacuum gripper surface are equipped with varying vacuum characteristics tailored to the local geometry of the work piece. This local quality approach ensures optimal contact and grip on the complex-shaped work piece without excessive force on sensitive fabric areas.
2Productivity
If traditional vacuum grippers are used to transport work pieces, then the work piece can be moved, but the process is time-consuming for complex shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum gripper configuration is pre-programmed with multiple preset patterns corresponding to different work piece types. Before transportation, the appropriate pattern is quickly selected and activated, eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments and enabling rapid changeover between different complex-shaped work pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum gripper incorporates dynamically adjustable vacuum zones that can be rapidly activated or deactivated based on the detected work piece shape. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize grip configuration in real-time, significantly reducing setup time for complex geometries.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vacuum grippers are used, then simple shapes can be gripped, but varying complex shapes cannot be efficiently handled
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum gripper is designed as a universal system with multiple vacuum zones that can be configured to handle various complex-shaped work pieces using the same device. This multi-functionality is achieved through programmable control that adapts the vacuum pattern to match different work piece geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specialized grippers.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum gripper incorporates sensors that detect the work piece shape and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of the vacuum zone configuration, allowing the gripper to adapt to varying complex shapes without manual intervention while maintaining manageable system complexity through intelligent control.
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 efficient and distortion-free transportation of complex-shaped carbon fiber composite work pieces, ensuring the desired strength of the final composite part by precisely applying vacuum pressure to match the work piece's shape, while preventing the pickup of nearby scrap material.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing device that biases the valve seat in a first axial direction within the valve seat guide
Implementation Method 2
selectively applying vacuum through a plurality of valves in a shape that corresponds with the shape of the work piece
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for utilizing enhanced vacuum gripping techniques. One embodiment is a method that includes locating an array of valves for an end effector, selectively switching valves within the array between open states and closed states based on a shape of a work piece that the end effector will transport, selectively applying vacuum through a plurality of valves in a shape that corresponds with the shape of the work piece, disposing the end effector at the work piece while the vacuum is applied to grip the work piece, and picking up the work piece by moving the end effector while the vacuum is applied.