Flexible Membrane Suction Gripper with Segmented Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction grippers face challenges in safely and inexpensively grasping objects of different natures due to limitations in adaptability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A suction gripper design featuring a flexible membrane with a sealing lip and a support structure with bridges, allowing for deformation to securely grasp objects, and enabling separation of support and contact functions for improved durability and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous contact surface is used for gripping objects, then the sealing effect is improved, but the adaptability to different object surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is divided into multiple discrete contact elements (suction cups) arranged in an array, allowing the membrane to conform to different object surfaces while maintaining sealing through individual contact points rather than a continuous surface
2Adaptability or versatility
If the membrane is made highly flexible to conform to different surfaces, then the adaptability is improved, but the structural stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions: it is flexible in the areas contacting the object to allow conforming, while being supported and stabilized by the rigid bridge structures that maintain overall structural integrity and prevent excessive deformation
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support structure is made rigid to maintain stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate different object shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure consists of discrete bridge elements spaced apart rather than a continuous rigid structure, allowing the membrane to deform and conform to different object shapes between the bridges while the bridges themselves maintain structural stability and prevent excessive membrane deformation
4Reliability
If the entire suction body is replaced when the contact surface wears, then the durability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed as a separate, replaceable component that can be independently replaced when worn, while the support structure (bridges and suction body) remains in place. This segmentation allows selective replacement of only the wear-prone membrane rather than the entire suction body, reducing manufacturing cost and complexity
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 suction gripper achieves reliable and secure grasping of objects across different surfaces, with improved durability and ease of maintenance, allowing for both active and passive operation.
Implementation Method 1
suction gripper for gripping an object by means of negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
The membrane is designed to be flexible, particularly elastically deformable, such that the membrane sections can be deformed into the spaces between the ribs
Implementation Method 3
the suction chamber is pressurized (e.g., by a pump, a blower, an ejector, or a vacuum reservoir), thus drawing the object in
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a suction gripper (10) for gripping an object (12) by means of a vacuum, comprising a flexible membrane (14) and a support structure (16) on which the membrane (14) rests with a suction side (18), wherein the first support structure has a plurality of struts (36) which are arranged distributed along a circumference around a central section (30) such that a space (38) is formed between adjacent struts, wherein the membrane spans the spaces with a respective membrane section (40), wherein the membrane is designed to be flexible such that the membrane sections can be deformed into the spaces, in particular by applying a vacuum in the suction chamber, in order to make contact with the object to be gripped. The invention also relates to a method for gripping an object with such a suction gripper and to a handling system with such a suction gripper.