Elastic Gripper Fingers for Sample Container Self-Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices for sample containers in laboratory settings lack efficient and versatile mechanisms for securely gripping and aligning containers, particularly those with varying orientations and shapes, which can lead to misalignment and damage during handling.
Innovation Solution
A gripping apparatus with elastically mounted contacting surfaces integrated into a monolithic element of the gripper finger, which includes a gripper fingers and a laboratory instrument for handling samples, allowing for secure and centered gripping of sample containers through elastic deformation and alignment before gripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid gripping surfaces are used to securely grip sample containers, then gripping force is improved, but sample container damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting surfaces are made elastically deformable, allowing them to flex and conform to the sample container surface. This flexibility enables secure gripping through elastic deformation while distributing the gripping force to prevent damage to the sample container.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the contacting surfaces are changed from rigid to elastically deformable. This parameter change allows the surfaces to adapt their hardness and compliance, providing both sufficient gripping force and protection against sample container damage through elastic recovery.
2Device complexity
If fixed gripping surfaces are used for sample containers, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting surfaces are designed to be elastically deformable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the sample container's position and orientation. This dynamic adaptation enables automatic alignment while maintaining a relatively simple overall gripper structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable contacting surfaces perform self-alignment by deforming under contact with the sample container. This self-service mechanism automatically centers and orients the sample container without requiring complex alignment systems or additional actuators.
3Ease of repair
If multiple separate components are used for contacting surfaces and elastic elements, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting surfaces and elastic elements are merged into a single integrated component. This combination reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the functional benefits of elastic deformation, thereby simplifying the device structure without sacrificing repairability of the integrated unit.
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 secure, damage-free handling of sample containers by ensuring proper alignment and grip, enhancing the reliability and precision of laboratory operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one contacting surface (51) elastically mounted to the gripper finger body (44) via an elastic element (52)
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A gripping apparatus (3) for gripping a sample container (6) is proposed. The gripping apparatus (3) comprising - a gripper body (30) comprising a gripper actuator (31); - at least two gripper fingers (4) each comprising a gripping surface (41), ∘ wherein at least one of the gripper fingers (4) is movably coupled to the gripper body (30), and ∘ wherein the gripping apparatus (3) is designed for gripping a sample container (6) with the gripping surfaces (41) of the at least two gripper fingers (4) by moving the at least one movable gripper finger (4); and characterized in that the gripping apparatus (3) comprises at least one elastically mounted contacting surface (51) for elastically contacting a sample container (6) about to be gripped by the gripping apparatus (3).