Cam-Profile Clamp Opening Mechanism for Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handling devices for containers with clamps, especially those for opening on command, are costly and complex due to the need for highly calibrated gears, and clamps without command opening often cause undesired container movement leading to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A handling device with clamps that utilize a cam profile and elastic return elements, where a conduction wheel rotates on the cam profile to open the jaws, and a wheel inside a slot on the second jaw ensures synchronized opening, eliminating the need for complex gears and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If clamps for no command opening are used, then the structure is simpler, but undesired container movement occurs causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed to open automatically on command through the interaction between the cam profile and conduction wheel, eliminating the need for external actuation mechanisms while ensuring reliable opening at the precise moment needed for container transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic return element provides dynamic responsiveness, allowing the clamp jaws to open quickly when commanded and return to closed position automatically, adapting to the timing requirements of the handling process without adding complex control systems
2Reliability
If clamps for opening on command with cam gear are used, then reliable opening is achieved, but the device becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The complex cam gear mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler cam profile and conduction wheel arrangement. The cam profile, fixed on the support plate, works with the conduction wheel to achieve reliable jaw opening without requiring intricate gear systems
Solution Approach 2:
The conduction wheel acts as an intermediary element between the cam profile and the clamp jaw. It translates the cam profile's geometric information into controlled jaw motion, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining precision and reliability
3Ease of operation
If elastic return means are used to close jaws, then automatic closing is achieved, but undesired container movement occurs during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The cam profile is designed to open the clamp jaw at the precise moment before the container reaches the transfer point. This preliminary action ensures the jaw is already open when needed, preventing any undesired container movement during the opening process
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical linkage for opening the jaw is replaced with a cam-based system. The cam profile's geometric shape directly controls the jaw's motion, eliminating the need for complex linkages that could cause container movement and providing more precise control over the opening action
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 device allows for efficient and reliable handling of containers between work stations without malfunctions, reducing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for calibrated gears and minimizing container movement issues.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic return element
Implementation Method 2
at least one cam profile fixed in correspondence with a peripheral area of the support plate for opening on command, configured so that the first jaw opens when the conduction wheel rotates on the cam profile
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A handling device 1, comprising a support element 2; a support plate 3, fixed to the support element 2; a drive shaft 4; a rotation plate 5, hinged to the drive shaft 4; one or more clamps 6, connected to the rotation plate 5, in turn comprising a first jaw 7, comprising a handling portion 8 and a drive portion 9; a conduction wheel 10, connected to the drive portion 9 of the first jaw 7; a second jaw 11, comprising a handling portion 12 and a drive portion 13, in which the drive portion 13 of the second jaw 11 is connected to the drive portion 9 of the first jaw 7; an elastic return element 37; characterized in that at least one cam profile 14 is fixed at a peripheral area 20 of the support plate 3 for opening on command, configured so that the first jaw 7 opens when the conduction wheel 10 rotates on the cam profile 14; a slot 15 is obtained on the drive portion 13 of the second jaw 11, in which said slot 15 comprises a pressure surface 16; a wheel 17 is mounted onto the drive portion 9 of the first jaw 7 and inserted inside the slot 15 formed on the drive portion 13 of the second jaw 11; the opening of the second jaw 11 is coupled to the opening of the first jaw 7 by the wheel 17, in which said wheel 17 is configured to act on the pressure surface 16 of the slot 15.