Crate Gripper With Pressers and Cursors for Direct Pallet Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gripping devices for crates in fruit and vegetable distribution centers can only handle one crate at a time, reducing productivity and requiring dismantling of incoming pallets, which increases cost and time.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device that allows simultaneous collection of multiple stacked crates by using abutments and pressers to engage with crate panels, and cursors to lock the crates in place, enabling direct handling of pallets without destacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current gripping devices are used to handle crates, then one crate can be gripped at a time, but productivity is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is divided into multiple independent gripping units (first gripping unit and second gripping unit), each capable of gripping a crate. These units are arranged side by side on the same pallet, allowing simultaneous gripping of multiple crates without requiring complex sequential operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple gripping units are combined into a single integrated device that operates on the same pallet. The device merges the functionality of multiple grippers into one system, enabling simultaneous crate handling while maintaining a unified control structure rather than requiring separate devices for each crate.
2Ease of operation
If incoming pallets are dismantled to destack crates, then crates become available to gripping devices, but greater cost and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is designed to directly access and grip crates that are already stacked on incoming pallets. The side-by-side arrangement of gripping units allows the device to immediately engage with crates at different positions on the pallet without requiring preliminary dismantling or destacking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of accessing crates in a vertical sequence (requiring destacking), the device utilizes a horizontal dimension by positioning multiple gripping units side by side. This allows simultaneous access to crates at different horizontal positions on the same pallet level, eliminating the need for vertical destacking operations.
3Productivity
If multiple crates are gripped simultaneously, then productivity is enhanced, but gripping device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses multiple simple, identical gripping units arranged side by side rather than one complex gripping mechanism. Each unit independently grips a crate using a simple hook-and-panel interaction, and the overall complexity is managed by repeating this simple unit rather than designing a complex multi-functional gripper.
Solution Approach 2:
Each gripping unit is designed as a universal module that can grip any crate placed on the pallet. The same gripping mechanism (hook engaging with crate panel) is used for all crates, providing multi-functionality through standardization rather than requiring different mechanisms for different crates.
Data Source
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AI summary
Gripping device for crates, comprising a first abutment (11) and a second abutment (12), arranged to be positioned in contact with two panels (c1,c2) of a crate (C), that are adjacent and perpendicular to one another, characterised in that it comprises: a first presser (21), which is movable along a main direction (Y) between an inactive position and an active position; in the active position, the first presser (21) is able to press on the free edge of the first panel (c1), exerting an operating thrust along at least the main direction (Y); a second presser (22), that is movable along the main direction (Y) between an inactive position and an active position; in the active position, the second presser (22) is able to press on the free edge of the second panel (c2), exerting an operating thrust along at least the main direction (Y); a first cursor (31), movable along a direction that is transverse to the main direction (Y), relative to the first abutment (11), between an inactive position and an operating position; in the operating position, the first cursor (31) is able to engage with the first panel (c1), to prevent a movement of the first panel (c1) along the main direction (Y); a second cursor (32), movable along a direction that is transverse to the main direction (Y), relative to the second abutment (11), between an inactive position and an operating position; in the operating position, the second cursor (32) is able to engage with the second panel (c2), to prevent a movement of the second panel (c2) along the main direction (Y).