Crate Gripper With Coupled Arms for Confined-Space Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices for crates, such as beverage crates, are inefficient in confined spaces and lack stability during handling, particularly when adjacent to other crates or stacks.
Innovation Solution
A gripper with a central arm and rotatably mounted outer arms, featuring a mechanical coupling of rotational movements around different axes, allows for a compact design and stable clamping by adjusting the relative distance between the arms and clamping elements, which are designed to engage the crate from above and include locking mechanisms to prevent tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional gripping device is used to lift crates, then the gripping function is achieved, but the device requires excessive space and cannot operate in confined spaces adjacent to walls or other crates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer arm is rotatably mounted on the central arm, allowing the outer arm to be retracted into or nested along the central arm when not in use. This nesting capability reduces the overall space required by the gripper device while maintaining the ability to extend outward for gripping operations in confined spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper employs rotatable joints at both the central arm mounting and the outer arm suspension, enabling dynamic adjustment of the arm configuration. This allows the gripper to adapt its shape and size to fit within limited spaces while maintaining gripping capability, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one
2Volume of moving object
If the gripper arms are positioned close together for compact design, then space requirements are reduced, but the stability and clamping force on the crate decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is divided into two independent but coordinated components: the central arm providing structural support and positioning, and the outer arm providing clamping force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the central arm can remain compact while the outer arm extends for clamping, achieving both compactness and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable suspension of the outer arm on the central arm creates a dynamic clamping mechanism. When the outer arm rotates outward, it engages the crate corner and provides clamping force. This dynamic configuration allows the gripper to maintain compact form when retracted while achieving full clamping capability when engaged, resolving the contradiction between compactness and stability
3Ease of manufacture
If the gripper is designed with simple structure for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to prevent crate tilting and slipping is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The outer arm is designed with an asymmetric L-shaped configuration rather than a simple symmetric arm. This asymmetric shape is specifically optimized to engage with the corner geometry of standard crates, providing both clamping force and anti-tilting capability. The asymmetric design, while slightly more complex to manufacture, targets specific functional requirements that prevent crate tilting and slipping
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper incorporates a preliminary engagement phase where the outer arm rotates outward to engage the crate corner before the main lifting action occurs. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning and engagement geometry is established in advance, preventing tilting and slipping during the subsequent lifting operation. The L-shaped arm geometry is specifically designed to achieve this preliminary engagement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) with a gripper (1) for gripping a box from above, the gripper (1) having a central arm (3) rotatably mounted about a mounting axis (5) at a mounting point (4), and a first outer arm (11) rotatably mounted on the central arm (3) at a first suspension point (21) about a first suspension axis (31) such that the rotation allows a relative distance (6) between an end (11.1) distal to the central arm (3) and the mounting axis (5) to be changed, wherein the rotation about the first suspension axis (31) is coupled to the rotation about the mounting axis (5) in the opposite direction, and wherein the device (10) is designed for vertically lowering the gripper (1) to approach the box from above, as well as for rotating the central arm (3) and the first The outer arm (11) is designed to change the relative distance (6) for gripping the box.