Cam-Driven Transfer Device With Roller-Guided Gripper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article conveying systems face maintenance challenges due to wear and tear in moving parts, leading to increased downtime and production losses, as well as the need for frequent replacement of components like connecting rods and springs, which complicates the handling and storage of different gripper types.
Innovation Solution
The system positions guide and orientation rollers on either side of the arm to ensure constant contact with cam tracks, reducing wear and eliminating springs, while allowing for quick gripper head changes using a trapezoidal groove and pyramidal member for easy positioning and clamping, minimizing the number of wearing parts and simplifying maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a connecting rod and linkage are used to link the gripper and orientation roller, then the gripper can be guided in rotation relative to the arm, but the connecting rod and linkage wear down prematurely due to repeated movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the connecting rod and linkage from the system entirely. Instead, the orientation roller is mounted directly to the gripper body, eliminating the intermediate connecting components that caused wear. This extraction of problematic parts resolves the durability issue while maintaining the rotational guidance function through direct mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation roller is merged directly with the gripper body by mounting it directly to the gripper. This consolidation eliminates the separating connecting rod, reducing the number of moving joints and contact points where wear occurs, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If a connecting rod is used to link the gripper and orientation roller, then the gripper can be guided in rotation, but the weight of the transfer device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rod is extracted from the system, removing its weight contribution. The orientation roller is mounted directly to the gripper, eliminating the additional mass of the connecting component while preserving the rotational guidance function.
3Device complexity
If the connecting rod breaks, then the arm extends to maximum length, but the clamp can be damaged by hitting surrounding elements
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rod is removed from the system, eliminating the risk of its failure causing arm extension to maximum length. The direct mounting of the orientation roller to the gripper creates a more rigid and reliable connection that prevents uncontrolled arm movement and protects the clamp from damage.
4Force
If springs are used in the transfer mechanism, then the positioning roller can be pressed against the cam track, but the springs are wear parts that require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
Springs are completely removed from the transfer mechanism. The positioning roller is pressed against the cam track through alternative means (such as gravitational force or mechanical constraint) rather than elastic force from springs, eliminating the wear-prone spring component and reducing maintenance 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
This design reduces maintenance needs, minimizes production downtime, and allows for rapid adaptation to different article types by simplifying gripper changes, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs associated with component storage and handling.
Implementation Method 1
The extension of the arm is controlled by a cam system
Implementation Method 2
a guide roller, cooperating with the first cam track to move the clamp away from or towards the support
Implementation Method 3
a clamp orientation roller, cooperating with the second cam track to orient the clamp in the transverse plane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveying unit (1) for articles between a first zone and a second zone, the conveying unit (1) comprising: - a frame (2) carrying a first cam track (21) and a second cam track (22) mounted one above the other, - at least one article transfer device (4), each transfer device (4) comprising: - an arm (41); - a gripper (5); - a guide roller (6) cooperating with the first cam track (21), and - a slewing roller (7) of the gripper (5), cooperating with the second cam track (22) to orient the gripper (5), the gripper (5) having a rider carrying the guide roller (6) and the slewing roller (7), the rider being rotatably mounted on the arm (41) to allow the gripper (5) to rotate on the arm (41).