Compact Gripper Mechanism for Secure Overhead Article Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional overhead conveyance systems require large gripper devices to grip flanges from both sides, leading to a non-compact configuration, which is inefficient and potentially prone to dropping if one component is damaged.
Innovation Solution
A gripper device with a pair of engaging portions attached to an elevating section that can move from a standby to an engaging position, allowing for compact holding of articles with spaced-held portions, and incorporating drop-preventing sections to secure the article even if one engaging portion is damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single flange is provided on the top surface of the article and gripped by an elevating platform from both sides, then the article can be held securely, but a large gripper device is needed making the system bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper device is divided into multiple engaging portions (first engaging portion and second engaging portion) that can independently engage with held portions on the article. This segmentation allows each portion to handle specific engagement tasks, enabling secure holding while reducing the overall size of the gripper device by distributing the gripping function across smaller, more efficient components.
2Reliability
If a large gripper device is used to grip the flange from both sides, then secure holding is achieved, but the conveying speed is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portions are designed to be movable relative to the elevating platform, allowing dynamic adjustment of the gripping force and position. This dynamic capability enables the smaller engaging portions to securely hold the article while minimizing the overall device size and power requirements, thereby improving conveying speed without sacrificing holding reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single link mechanism is used to move the pair of engaging portions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the engagement precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple engaging portions are controlled by a single link mechanism that moves them in unison. This merging of control functions reduces the overall complexity of the driver mechanism while maintaining engagement precision through the coordinated movement of all engaging portions, ensuring they all reach the correct engaging position simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper device includes a pair of engaging portions attached to an elevating section capable of lifting and lowering above an article and respectively engageable with the pair of held portions, and a driver to move the pair of engaging portions from a standby position where a distance between the pair of engaging portions is shorter than an interval between the pair of held portions, to an engaging position where the pair of engaging portions is capable of engaging with the pair of held portions, such that the pair of engaging portions separate from one another.