Elastomer Suction Gripper With Adaptive Opening Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction grippers struggle with adaptability to objects of different sizes and shapes, requiring frequent changes and leading to process downtime.
Innovation Solution
A suction gripper with a deformable elastomer suction body and a deformation device that adjusts the suction opening's shape and size, allowing it to conform to the geometry of the object, facilitated by adjustable deformation elements and actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid suction body with fixed geometry is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to objects of different sizes and shapes, requiring frequent changes and causing process downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The suction body incorporates a deformable membrane that can dynamically change its shape and configuration. The membrane is actuated by a deformation device that applies localized forces to transform the suction opening from a circular to an oval shape, enabling adaptation to different object geometries without requiring multiple rigid suction bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the suction opening by deforming the membrane. The deformation device modifies the shape parameters (from circular to oval) and size parameters of the suction opening to match different object geometries, allowing a single suction body to handle multiple object types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the suction body is made deformable to adapt to different objects, then adaptability improves, but the structural complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable membrane is designed to automatically return to its initial circular configuration when the deformation force is removed. This self-recovery capability eliminates the need for complex reset mechanisms and simplifies operation, as the system automatically prepares for the next gripping task.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation device is positioned and configured in advance to apply force to specific regions of the membrane. The system pre-positions the deformation elements and prepares the membrane deformation before the gripping operation begins, ensuring smooth transitions between different gripping configurations.
3Productivity
If a deformation device is added to change the suction opening shape, then gripping efficiency for varied objects improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation device is divided into multiple independent deformation elements that can be positioned at different locations around the suction opening. Each element can independently deform the membrane in its local region, allowing flexible configuration changes. This segmented approach enables complex shape transformations using simple, modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation device serves multiple functions: it transforms the suction opening from circular to oval shape, adjusts the size of the suction opening, and can potentially create other geometric configurations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized suction bodies for different object types.
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
Enables reliable and cost-effective gripping of objects with varying shapes and sizes by preforming the suction opening to match the object's geometry, enhancing sealing and gripping efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The absorbent body wall is designed to be flexible, in particular elastically reversible, deformable, so that the configuration of the suction opening, in particular its size and shape, can be changed by deforming the absorbent body wall
Implementation Method 2
The deformation device can in particular be designed to locally compress the suction body wall
Implementation Method 3
After the sealing lip is applied to the object, the suction chamber is subjected to negative pressure (e.g., by a pump, a blower, an ejector, or a vacuum reservoir), thus sucking in the object
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a suction gripper (10) for gripping an object by means of negative pressure, comprising an elastomer suction body (14) which extends along a main direction (16), wherein the elastomer suction body has a base section (18) and a flexibly deformable suction body wall (20) extending from the base section, which delimits a suction chamber (24) open through a suction opening (26), further comprising a deformation device (36) which is designed to deform the suction body wall, in particular before a gripping object is sucked in, in order to change a configuration of the suction opening, in particular its shape and size. The invention also relates to a method for gripping a gripping object with such a suction gripper and to a handling system with such a suction gripper.