Electromagnetic Gripper With Magnetic Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gripper mechanisms face challenges in achieving a combination of low weight, compactness, high actuation speed, reliability, ease of control, maintenance, and low energy consumption, particularly due to heating issues in electromagnetic systems and limited flexibility in manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A gripper mechanism comprising a stator with a permanent magnet and mobile grippers coupled via a linear bearing, utilizing a magnetic locking mechanism with complementary soft magnetic materials to maintain positions and an electromagnetic coil for actuation, which reduces energy consumption and heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional electromagnetic gripper mechanisms are used to achieve high actuation speed, then the speed of actuation is improved, but heating of the gripper motors occurs and cooling systems are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation speedVSAvoidmotor heating

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the permanent magnet from the moving gripper component and places it in the stationary stator, removing the source of heating from the mobile element. This allows the gripper to be lightweight and compact without requiring cooling systems, as the electromagnetic interaction occurs without continuous power consumption in the moving part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional electromagnetic gripper design by placing the permanent magnet in the stator rather than in the mobile gripper. This inversion allows the mobile gripper to be a simple coil assembly that only draws power during actuation, eliminating continuous heating issues while maintaining high actuation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If pneumatic actuation is used in gripper mechanisms, then the structure is simple, but flexibility for changes in manufacturing process is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidflexibility for manufacturing changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system with an electromagnetic system using permanent magnets and coils. This substitution provides simpler structure without pneumatic hoses and valves, while simultaneously offering greater flexibility through electronic control that can be easily reprogrammed for different manufacturing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If mobile grippers are held in position by mechanical means, then positioning is reliable, but the gripper mechanism is heavier and less compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition holding reliabilityVSAvoidgripper weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical position-holding mechanisms with magnetic holding forces generated by the interaction between permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical springs, brakes, or latches while maintaining reliable positioning through magnetic attraction, resulting in a lighter and more compact gripper design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 a lightweight, compact, and reliable gripper mechanism with high actuation speed, ease of control and maintenance, and low energy consumption, addressing the limitations of existing gripper systems.

Implementation Method 1

The mobile gripper comprises a coil mounted on the support portion, and a gripper finger coupled to the support portion. The coil is configured to generate a magnetic field in opposition to a magnetic field of the permanent magnet to actuate displacement of the mobile gripper relative to the stator.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The gripper mechanism further comprises at least one magnetic locking mechanism comprising at least a first permanent magnet mounted on one of the stator and the mobile grippers, and a complementary soft magnetic material portion or magnet mounted on the other of the of the stator and the mobile grippers configured to magnetically lock the mobile grippers in at least one of a closed or opened position of the mobile grippers.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11731288B2Electromagnetic gripper

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 KOMP ACT SA

AI summary

A gripper mechanism includes a stator and a pair of mobile grippers moveably coupled to the stator via a linear bearing, the stator comprising a housing and a permanent magnet mounted within the housing, the mobile gripper comprising a support portion, a coil mounted on the support portion, and a gripper finger coupled to the support portion. The gripper mechanism further includes at least one magnetic locking mechanism comprising at least a first permanent magnet mounted on one of the stator and the mobile grippers, and a complementary soft magnetic material portion or magnet mounted on the other of the stator and the mobile grippers.