Dual-Gripper End Effector for Versatile Workpiece Handling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic end effector devices with multiple fingers lack the flexibility and adaptability to efficiently handle a variety of workpieces, often requiring complex and costly mechanisms to achieve precise gripping.

Innovation Solution

The proposed end effector device features a dual-gripper mechanism with two pairs of fingers, each driven independently by a motor and drive mechanism, allowing for adjustable finger lengths and orientations to accommodate different workpiece shapes and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a robotic end effector device uses multiple fingers to handle various workpieces, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle diverse workpiecesVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end effector device is divided into two independent gripper units, each with its own drive mechanism. This segmentation allows each gripper to be controlled independently, providing versatility for handling different workpiece types while keeping each individual gripper's mechanism relatively simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The end effector device incorporates two gripper units that can be selectively used based on workpiece dimensions and shapes. This multi-functionality approach enables a single device to handle diverse workpieces by selecting the appropriate gripper, achieving high adaptability without requiring an overly complex single mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a robotic end effector device uses multiple fingers with adjustable lengths and orientations, then the ability to accommodate different workpiece shapes and sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different workpiece shapes and sizesVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper units feature adjustable finger lengths and orientations, allowing the mechanism to dynamically adapt to different workpiece geometries. This dynamic adjustability provides versatility for handling various shapes and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple base mechanism that can be reconfigured as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The end effector device allows changes in geometric parameters such as finger length and orientation to match different workpiece requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the device achieves high adaptability without requiring a completely different mechanism for each workpiece type, thus controlling overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3715068B1End effector device and robotic device
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3715068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3715068B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3715068B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An end effector device (30) includes a housing (40) having an opening (43), a first gripper (100), and a second gripper (110). The first gripper (100) includes a first finger (50) and a second finger (60) facing each other and configured to open and close. The second gripper (110) includes a third finger (70) and a fourth finger (80) facing each other and configured to open and close in a direction intersecting the first gripper (100). The first finger (50), the second finger (60), the third finger (70), and the fourth finger (80) each protrude from the opening (43).