Extended-Frame Vacuum Gripper Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable vacuum grippers induce undesirable stresses in flat sheet materials and other objects during lifting, often causing damage and limiting their range of application due to specialized designs and lack of flexibility and portability.
Innovation Solution
An extended frame portable vacuum grip device with a rigid support frame and closed-loop gaskets that form a seal with the object surface, featuring independently operable vacuum grip regions and a stress reduction frame to minimize stress and adapt to various object surfaces, including those with openings or discontinuities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional vacuum grippers use discrete contact points connected by spaced-apart frameworks, then the device structure is simplified, but undesirable stresses are induced in the sheet material causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is divided into multiple discrete contact points distributed across the surface, each connected to the support structure through localized framework elements. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple points rather than concentrated at single locations, reducing stress induction while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane or fabric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid framework and the sheet material contact surface. This flexible intermediary distributes applied loads across the entire contact area rather than through discrete rigid connections, effectively reducing stress concentration and preventing damage to the sheet material
2Strength
If conventional vacuum grippers use specialized designs for specific material connections, then the grip strength for target materials is improved, but the adaptability to various material types and surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum gripper employs a universal contact surface design combining flexible membrane elements with adjustable vacuum distribution systems. This configuration allows the same device to effectively grip diverse materials including sheet materials, flexible objects, and irregularly shaped items by distributing vacuum pressure across the flexible contact surface, eliminating the need for specialized designs for different material types
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane contact surface dynamically adapts its shape and contact characteristics based on the object being gripped. The membrane can conform to different surface geometries and material properties, allowing the device to maintain effective vacuum seals and gripping forces across a wide range of material types without requiring manual reconfiguration
3Ease of operation
If conventional vacuum grippers use handheld designs, then portability and maneuverability are improved, but the lifting capacity for extended-length and heavy objects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is segmented into distributed contact points across the extended surface, with each contact point connected to the handheld control mechanism through separate vacuum channels. This segmentation allows the handheld device to generate sufficient total lifting force by summing the forces from multiple distributed contact points, enabling handling of extended and heavy objects while maintaining portability
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper transitions from a single-point contact handheld design to a distributed multi-point contact system across an extended surface. By spreading the lifting function across multiple dimensions (length and width of the contact surface), the device achieves enhanced lifting capacity while maintaining handheld portability through distributed force application rather than requiring a single heavy lifting mechanism
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 device effectively reduces stress on lifted objects, enhances grip strength, and adapts to diverse surfaces, allowing for safer and more versatile handling of a wide range of materials without damaging them.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump disposed within the handle portion and in fluid communication with the chamber through the filter holder and filter
Implementation Method 2
handheld or portable vacuum material handling or gripping devices are known and increasingly being used in industry and home use for gripping, handling, and moving wide ranges and types of objects
Data Source
AI summary
An extended frame portable vacuum grip device is provided having a rigid unitary support frame with elongated base and peripheral support wall that can define an open chamber at a face of the device for vacuum grip connections. A plurality of corresponding components can be combined to form independent vacuum grip regions within the open chamber extending along the length of the support frame. A plurality of ports can be defined through the base along its length that can each operatively connect with a corresponding pump. A plurality of closed-loop gaskets can each mate with corresponding portions of the base and support wall within the open chamber to act as vacuum seal members and define independent vacuum grip regions. A corresponding support frame for each gasket can help retain the independent arrangement and enhance seal actions of the gasket. The grip device can include structural reinforcements for reducing applied stresses.