Suction Gripper Head With Elastic Plate For Suction Loss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction gripper heads are complex and expensive to produce, with valves adapted to specific dimensions, limiting their adaptability to different articles and failing to minimize suction loss effectively.
Innovation Solution
A suction gripper head featuring a box with elastically deformable material plates having holes that change section based on the presence or absence of an article, allowing for reduced suction loss when not in use and quick vacuum establishment when an article is present, with the option to change plates or soles for different applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a plate of deformable material with holes shaped by rigid inserts is used, then the structure is stable, but the suction loss is not minimized and the device is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the rigid inserts used to shape the holes in the deformable material plate. Instead, the holes are shaped directly by the elastically deformable material itself, which naturally forms the desired geometry through its elastic properties during the gripping cycle, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining suction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable material plate serves dual functions: it shapes the holes through its own elastic deformation and automatically adjusts the hole cross-section during operation. The material's inherent elastic properties enable it to close the holes during non-gripping phases to minimize suction loss and open them during gripping phases, eliminating the need for external rigid inserts or complex valve mechanisms
2Loss of energy
If valves are added to close off suction orifices, then suction loss is minimized, but the device becomes complex and expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical valve system with an elastic deformation mechanism. The elastically deformable material plate responds to pressure changes through its inherent elastic properties, automatically opening and closing the suction orifices without requiring complex valve mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving the same suction loss minimization effect
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the material from rigid to elastically deformable. This parameter change allows the material to dynamically adjust the opening cross-section of the holes in response to pressure differentials, providing automatic suction control without the need for mechanical valves or complex control systems
3Loss of energy
If the holes in the deformable material plate maintain a constant section, then the structure is simple, but suction loss is not minimized when no article is present
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the hole cross-section dynamic rather than static. The elastically deformable material plate automatically adjusts the opening size of the holes based on the presence or absence of an article and the resulting pressure differential. When no article is present, the holes close to minimize suction loss; when an article is present, the holes open to allow vacuum establishment, providing adaptive functionality
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 simplifies the structure, reduces production costs, and allows easy adaptation to various articles by minimizing suction loss and ensuring a strong grip through balanced pressures, facilitating efficient article handling.
Implementation Method 1
a plate of elastically deformable material comprising holes passing through the plate, the holes having shapes and dimensions which are a function of the plate of deformable material and of the dimensions of the suction orifices so that the holes have a reduced section when the box is in depression in the absence of articles facing the holes
Implementation Method 2
as soon as an article is placed facing a hole, the pressures are balanced on either side of the elastically deformable material plate so that the holes can return to their initial shape and the vacuum necessary to the gripping of the articles is quickly obtained
Data Source
Figure 1~9
AI summary
The head has a box (1) comprising a removable base plate (2) that is pierced of suction ports (3) with an elastically deformable material plate (4). The deformable material plate includes holes (5) crossing the material plate with respect to a part of the suction ports. The holes have shapes and dimensions based on the elastically deformable material plate and dimensions of the suction ports. The holes have a reduced section when the box is in depression by the presence of the items with respect to the holes.