Flexible Material Gripper Using Coanda Airflow for Layer Singulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices struggle to safely and efficiently separate individual layers of flexible materials, often resulting in multiple layers being picked up simultaneously, which can lead to their accidental dropping during transport.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with vertically oriented suction openings and tangentially oriented blow-out openings, utilizing the Coanda effect to separate individual layers by exciting them into a wave-like motion, combined with a clamping mechanism to secure the single layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction openings are used to pick up layers, then layers can be adhered to the receiving body, but multiple layers are often picked up simultaneously making separation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the air flow function into two separate openings: suction openings for picking up the layer and blow-out openings for separating layers. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - suction for reliable adhesion and blow-out for effective separation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The separating function is extracted from the suction function by introducing dedicated blow-out openings that expel air tangentially to separate layers. This extraction allows the suction openings to focus solely on reliable layer pickup while the blow-out openings handle separation, improving singulation reliability without requiring complex integrated mechanisms
2Reliability
If suction nozzles are used to separate layers, then layer separation can be achieved, but the intake openings are prone to clogging requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The separation function is extracted from the suction system by using dedicated blow-out openings with tangential air flow. This separates the suction function (prone to clogging) from the separation function (achieved by expelling air), maintaining separation effectiveness while reducing maintenance needs
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using suction to separate layers (which causes clogging), the invention inverts the approach by using blown air to separate layers while suction picks up the material. This inversion resolves the clogging issue while maintaining separation effectiveness
3Productivity
If multiple layers are picked up simultaneously, then material handling can proceed, but the layers can easily fall off during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the air flow into radial suction components for pickup and tangential blow-out components for separation. This segmentation ensures that only a single layer is excited into wave-like motion and picked up by suction, while other layers remain separated, ensuring stable transport without sacrificing handling speed
Solution Approach 2:
The tangential blow-out air flow excites individual layers into wave-like motion (flutter), creating a vibrational effect that separates layers before pickup. This vibration ensures that only one layer adheres to the receiving body at a time, guaranteeing stable transport while maintaining high handling productivity
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
Ensures reliable singulation of a single layer, reduces maintenance needs, increases throughput, and minimizes downtime by preventing clogging, while maintaining high efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
air is drawn in perpendicularly through the vacuum line across the outer wall of the receiving body, holding the flexible material in place
Implementation Method 2
This expulsion pushes the material away from the receiving body. The material begins to flutter, a phenomenon known in the prior art as the Coanda effect
Implementation Method 3
Since each layer of material is individually excited into a wave-like motion, adhering layers move differently, allowing them to be separated
Data Source
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AI summary
For certain situations, a gripping device is necessary that is capable of separating layers of flexible materials, then picking them up and processing them. Known gripping devices only have suction openings. If such a suction opening is used, separation becomes more difficult. While it is known to test separation using transmitted light, if this method fails, this knowledge is of no further use. Against this background, the gripping device according to the invention provides a cost-effective way to create a fast and reliable method of separation and subsequent processing by utilizing the Coanda effect. This is achieved by vertical suction followed by blowing out at an obtuse angle, causing the lifted layers of material to flutter and, if several layers have been suctioned, to separate.