Eccentric Jaw Gripping Device Anti-Twist Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gripping devices lack a simple structure that provides high gripping forces while ensuring secure object gripping and anti-twist protection.

Innovation Solution

A gripping device with a piston section and an eccentrically arranged end section of round cross-section, which diverts transverse forces into the housing and allows for a seal, combined with two movable jaws and a support element that engages with guide sections to prevent rotation, enhancing gripping and clamping forces and anti-rotation capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the end section has a round cross-section for sealing purposes, then sealing capability is improved, but transverse forces cause twisting that compromises gripping stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidgripping stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by eccentrically arranging the round end section relative to the piston section. The end section's central axis is offset from the piston section's central axis, creating an asymmetric structure that converts transverse forces into beneficial mechanical actions rather than pure twisting moments, thereby maintaining gripping stability while preserving the round cross-section for sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If the end section is arranged concentrically with the piston section, then structural simplicity is improved, but transverse forces cause uncontrolled twisting that reduces gripping precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidgripping precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent intentionally introduces asymmetry through eccentric arrangement of the end section relative to the piston section. This controlled asymmetry prevents uncontrolled twisting by converting transverse forces into useful mechanical actions, thereby improving gripping precision while adding only minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the anti-twist function with the existing jaw structure by integrating the eccentric end section design into the jaw body. This combines multiple functions (sealing, force transmission, and anti-twist protection) into a single integrated component, improving precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If guide columns are added to prevent rotation, then anti-rotation capability is improved, but device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the anti-rotation function with the jaw structure itself through the eccentric end section design. The asymmetric geometry inherently prevents rotation about the longitudinal axis, eliminating the need for separate guide columns or anti-rotation mechanisms, thereby maintaining anti-rotation capability while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the anti-rotation function from separate guide column components and integrates it directly into the jaw's geometric design. By embedding the anti-rotation capability within the jaw structure itself through eccentric arrangement, the patent eliminates unnecessary separate components while maintaining the desired stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution provides high gripping and clamping forces with secure anti-rotation protection, ensuring objects are gripped securely and preventing twist, while maintaining a simple structure for cost-effective production.

Implementation Method 1

the end section being arranged eccentrically with respect to the piston section. Consequently, the central longitudinal axis of the end section is parallel to and spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis of the piston section. As a result, transverse forces introduced into the end section can be diverted via the piston section into the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric arrangement: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

Provision can be made for the piston section to have a lateral surface and for the end section to have a lateral surface, with the lateral surface of the piston section filling around the lateral surface of the end section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric configuration: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2848376B1Gripping device
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 SCHUNK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2848376B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2848376B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2848376B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Gripping device (10) with a housing (12) and with at least one jaw (14, 16) movable in the housing (12) along a direction of travel (17), characterized in that the jaw (14, 16) has a piston section (22) which defines a pressure chamber (28, 30) provided in the housing (12), and that the jaw (14, 16) has an end section (18) extending through the housing with a round cross-section, wherein the end section (18) is arranged eccentrically to the piston section (22).