Bistable Gripper Conveying Device for Leads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveying devices for electrical or optical lines are inefficient due to the need for a drag chain, which increases mass, requires additional drive components, and leads to wear and increased machine size, making them bulky and costly.
Innovation Solution
A conveying device with a bistable gripper mechanism, where external mechanical or pneumatic actuators at specific positions control the gripper's opening and closing, eliminating the need for a constant energy supply and reducing mass, allowing for high movement dynamics with a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a drag chain is used to provide permanent energy supply to the movable gripper, then the gripper can be actuated continuously, but the drag chain increases the moving mass, requires additional drive power, and leads to wear and increased machine size
Solution Approach 1:
The drag chain and its associated permanent energy supply system are completely removed from the movable gripper assembly. Instead, energy is supplied externally at stationary positions (first and second positions) through drag chains or other energy supply means that remain fixed, eliminating the moving mass and wear problems while maintaining continuous actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
External energy supply means (such as stationary drag chains or energy supply devices) are introduced as intermediaries to transfer energy to the gripper at specific positions without requiring the gripper itself to carry or continuously drag energy supply components. The energy is transferred through a mediator that remains stationary or is supplied from outside the moving assembly
2Use of energy by moving object
If a drag chain is used for permanent energy supply, then the gripper can be continuously actuated, but the drag chain causes rapid wear and results in frequent downtimes
Solution Approach 1:
The drag chain is extracted from the movable gripper assembly and repositioned as a stationary external energy supply means. This eliminates the friction and wear that occur when a drag chain must flex and move with the gripper, significantly improving reliability and reducing downtime while maintaining continuous energy supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed so that the gripper receives energy supply passively at stationary positions without requiring active dragging or flexing of energy supply components. The energy supply infrastructure remains fixed and serves the moving gripper automatically as it passes through defined positions, eliminating wear-related failures
3Use of energy by moving object
If a drag chain is installed for energy supply, then the gripper can be actuated, but additional space must be provided for the drag chain, making the machine more voluminous
Solution Approach 1:
The drag chain is removed from the movable gripper and repositioned as a stationary external infrastructure element. This consolidation of energy supply means into fixed positions eliminates the need for additional space accommodating moving drag chain components, reducing the overall machine volume while maintaining full energy supply functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary energy supply means at the first and second positions serve multiple functions: they provide energy to the gripper, act as positioning references, and eliminate the need for separate moving drag chain infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces the total space requirements for the machine
4Ease of operation
If external active gripper drives are provided at both positions, then the gripper can be precisely controlled at end positions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
External active gripper drives or energy supply means are provided only at the first and second positions where gripper actuation is required, rather than continuously along the entire travel path. This localized approach provides precise control where needed while minimizing overall device complexity by eliminating unnecessary actuating components in intermediate regions
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 enables faster and more dynamic line conveyance with reduced mechanical complexity and cost, as the gripper is actuated only at end positions, minimizing wear and space requirements, and allowing for precise control of the gripper's movement.
Implementation Method 1
the gripper (3) has a bistable mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveying device for conveying electrical or optical leads (8), such as wires, cables, lead bundles, optical fibres, etc., comprising a gripper (3) for gripping a lead (8), the gripper (3) being movable along a guide (1) between a first position (5) and a second position (6), characterised in that an operative interface is provided in both the region of the first position (5) and in the region of the second position (6), said interface being designed to operatively connect to the gripper (3) and move the gripper into a closed position or an open position if the gripper (3) is in one of these two positions (5, 6).