Compliant Gripper Head for Terminal Seal Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper heads are ineffective in picking up and inserting seals into terminals without clear access to outside surfaces and struggle with objects that lack stiff walls, often requiring complex and costly mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A gripper head with a compliant section and gripping section, featuring resilient compliant and gripping legs that deform to apply force to the seal, allowing it to be picked up and inserted into terminals using resilient and frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If known gripper heads with mechanical or pneumatic units are used to pick up and insert seals, then the gripper can lift and place objects with outside surfaces, but it cannot properly insert seals into terminals due to lack of clear access and insufficient support
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper head is divided into three distinct sections: a mounting section, a compliant section with compliant legs, and a gripping section with gripping legs. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function - the compliant section provides resilient support while the gripping section provides secure engagement with the seal, enabling insertion without complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant legs are designed to be resilient and deformable, changing their physical state from rigid to flexible under load. This parameter change allows the gripper to adapt to the seal's position and provide the necessary support during insertion into the terminal, achieving ease of operation without increased complexity
2Force
If gripper jaws or arms apply force to outside surfaces of objects, then the object can be secured for transport, but the gripper cannot engage objects like seals that lack accessible outside surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the gripper jaws engage the outside surface of the seal and push it in, the gripping legs extend into the seal's opening and engage the interior surface. This inverted approach allows the gripper to secure the seal from the inside, providing both gripping force and insertion capability for objects without accessible outside surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant legs serve multiple functions: they provide resilient support structure, enable the gripping legs to engage the seal's interior, and facilitate the insertion motion. This multi-functionality allows a single mechanism to handle various seal types and insertion scenarios, increasing adaptability without adding complexity
3Device complexity
If simple gripper mechanisms are used, then the device remains simple to operate, but expensive or large mechanisms are required to properly insert seals into terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant legs automatically deform and provide resilient support when the gripping legs engage the seal's interior surface during insertion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or complex control systems, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable completion of the insertion task through the inherent elastic properties of the compliant structure
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 gripper head effectively picks up and inserts seals into terminals with reduced complexity and cost, scalable for various sizes, and maintains the seal in position after insertion.
Implementation Method 1
As the gripper head is moved into engagement with the seal, the gripping legs and the compliant legs are resiliently deformed causing the compliant legs and the gripping legs to apply a force to the seal to retain the seal on the gripping section of the gripper head
Implementation Method 2
the gripping legs to apply a force to the seal to retain the seal on the gripping section of the gripper head
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper head for use in gripping a seal and positioning the seal in an electrical terminal. The gripper head has a mounting section, a compliant section and a gripping section. The compliant section extends from the mounting section. The compliant section has compliant legs having fixed ends proximate the mounting section and free ends. The compliant legs are spaced apart by compliant section slots. The gripping section extends from the compliant section. The gripping section has gripping legs which extend from the compliant legs. The gripping legs are spaced apart by gripping section slots. As the gripper head is moved into engagement with the seal, the gripping legs and the compliant legs are resiliently deformed causing the compliant legs and the gripping legs to apply a force to the seal to retain the seal on the gripping section of the gripper head.