Disc Gripper With Spring-Loaded Jaw Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disc retrieval units in disc libraries face challenges in securely gripping and transporting storage discs between storage locations and drive units, particularly in maintaining a secure hold without continuous power and ensuring accurate disc presence sensing.
Innovation Solution
A disc gripper device with a pair of jaw devices that clamp the disc near its outer edge, using a screw-driven actuator to secure and release the disc, and a disc sensor to detect disc presence, allowing for secure transport and positioning without continuous power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disc gripper uses continuous power to maintain a secure hold on the disc, then the gripping reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using a spring-loaded jaw mechanism that automatically releases and re-grasps the disc at regular intervals during transport. The spring provides periodic resetting of the gripping force, eliminating the need for continuous powered actuation while maintaining secure disc holding during critical phases of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism serves itself by using the disc's presence to compress the spring, which then automatically maintains gripping pressure without external power input. The system self-regulates the gripping force through mechanical energy storage in the spring, eliminating continuous energy consumption while preserving gripping reliability.
2Reliability
If the gripper clamps the disc at multiple locations, then the disc holding security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is segmented into two independent jaw devices that can be actuated separately or simultaneously. Each jaw independently contacts the disc at different locations, providing secure multi-point holding without requiring a complex integrated clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows simple individual jaw designs to achieve compound securing effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple clamping points into a coordinated two-jaw system where both jaws work together to secure the disc. By combining the simple actions of two jaws closing on opposite sides of the disc, the system achieves secure multi-location holding equivalent to multiple independent clamps, reducing overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the gripper uses a complex actuation mechanism to secure and release the disc, then the gripping control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex powered actuation mechanisms with a simple spring-loaded mechanical system. The spring provides automatic gripping force and release capability through pure mechanical action, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or control systems while achieving sufficient gripping precision through the spring's inherent force characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the actuation function from complex powered systems and isolates it to simple spring mechanisms. By taking out the need for continuous power and control systems, the patent achieves gripping control precision through passive mechanical means, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining functional effectiveness.
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 disc gripper device effectively holds and transports discs securely, ensuring accurate positioning and presence detection, enhancing the efficiency of disc handling in disc libraries.
Implementation Method 1
In one embodiment, a spring positively moves the sensor lever to its 'no disc present' position when the storage disc is released by the disc gripper device
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first jaw device, a second jaw device, and a disc sensor configured to sense presence of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc including an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.