Cam-Driven Mechanical Gripper for Swinging Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container processing systems are limited by the inability of open/close type grippers to swing on rotating wheels, restricting the system's design flexibility and efficiency, particularly in processes requiring alternate gripping of container flanges.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical gripper design featuring a pair of gripper parts pivotally arranged about the same axis, with biasing members and cam followers interacting with first and second cams to allow both opening/closing and swinging motions, enabling flexible gripper orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flat spring type grippers are used and arranged downstream to enable swinging, then the gripper can swing back and forth, but the system requires limited degrees of freedom and restricted design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the mechanical gripper to perform multiple functions: it can both open/close to grip containers and swing back and forth in the conveyance direction. The cam mechanism allows the same gripper to achieve both gripping motion and swinging motion, making it adaptable to different operational requirements and positions in the processing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing a cam mechanism that enables the gripper to dynamically change its position and orientation. The cam follower translates rotational motion into controlled swinging motion, allowing the gripper to adapt its position during operation rather than being fixed in a static configuration.
2Device complexity
If mechanical grippers are used without swinging capability, then the structure is simpler, but the degrees of freedom in system design are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical gripper is designed to perform multiple functions: gripping containers through opening/closing motion and positioning through swinging motion. This multi-functionality increases design flexibility without requiring separate gripper types for different operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism introduces dynamic positioning capability to the mechanical gripper, allowing it to swing back and forth in the conveyance direction. This dynamic feature adds degrees of freedom to the system design while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
3Ease of operation
If flat spring type grippers are arranged downstream for swinging, then swinging is enabled, but the rotating wheel arrangement is restricted and design freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical gripper on the rotating wheel is designed to perform both gripping and swinging functions, eliminating the need for separate flat spring grippers arranged downstream. This universal design simplifies the overall rotating wheel arrangement and increases design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism enables the mechanical gripper to dynamically swing during rotation, allowing flexible arrangement of rotating wheels in the processing system without being constrained by the need for downstream swinging mechanisms.
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
Expands design freedom in container conveyance systems by allowing the gripper to swing back and forth, ensuring sufficient sterilization time and improving processing speed without compromising system design constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that biases the gripper parts to approach each other
Implementation Method 2
a first cam that engages with the first cam follower for displacing the first cam follower; and a second cam that engages with the second cam follower for displacing the second cam follower
Data Source
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AI summary
A mechanical gripper comprises a pair of gripper parts pivotally arranged about the same axis; a biasing member that biases the gripper parts to approach each other; a first cam follower connected to one of the gripper parts; a second cam follower connected to the other gripper parts; a first cam that engages with the first cam follower for displacing the first cam follower; and a second cam that engages with the second cam follower for displacing the second cam follower. The first cam follower and the second cam follower are both displaced when opening/closing the pair of gripper parts; and either one of the first cam follower or the second cam follower is displaced when swinging the pair of gripper parts.