Friction Gripper for Reaction Vessel Lids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for automatic opening and closing of reaction vessels are limited in their ability to handle conventional screw lids without requiring special designs, leading to compatibility issues and increased costs due to the need for specially designed lids.
Innovation Solution
A device with gripping jaws that utilize frictional contact to hold conventional screw lids, combined with a holding mechanism that clamps reaction vessels non-rotatably, allowing for the use of standard lids without additional operating mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gripper with active operating mechanism is used to grip lids, then reliable gripping and torque transmission is achieved, but device complexity increases and conventional lids cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the active operating mechanism from the gripper, leaving only passive gripping jaws that hold the lid through frictional contact. The gripping jaws are simplified to basic holding elements without motors, sensors, or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sufficient gripping reliability for conventional lids.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid itself serves the gripping function by providing frictional contact surfaces on its outer circumference. The gripping jaws simply need to apply radial clamping force, and the lid's surface properties enable reliable friction-based holding and torque transmission without requiring active gripping mechanisms or special lid features.
2Device complexity
If specially designed lids with slits are used, then passive gripping is enabled, but lid compatibility is reduced and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping jaws are designed with universal applicability to hold various conventional lid types through frictional contact. By using radial clamping force applied to the outer circumference of standard lids, the system achieves multi-functionality across different lid designs without requiring lid-specific features like slits or grooves, thereby maintaining lid compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the gripping approach from requiring specific geometric features (slits, grooves) to relying on frictional contact parameters. By adjusting clamping force and ensuring sufficient friction coefficient between gripping jaws and lid surface, the system can handle conventional lids with standard surface properties, expanding compatibility without modifying lid design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frictional contact is used to hold lids, then conventional lids can be used without special design, but gripping force and torque transmission may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping jaws are designed with curved gripping surfaces that match the outer circumference of cylindrical lids. This curvature contact provides distributed frictional force across the contact area, increasing total gripping force and improving torque transmission capability while maintaining compatibility with conventional cylindrical lids.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping jaws utilize materials with high friction coefficients to enhance frictional contact with lid surfaces. By selecting composite materials or surface treatments that maximize friction, the system achieves sufficient gripping force and torque transmission through friction alone, enabling handling of conventional lids without special features.
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 automatic opening and closing of reaction vessels with conventional screw lids, enhancing compatibility and reducing the need for expensive specially designed lids.
Implementation Method 1
the gripping jaws are arranged in such a way that, when the lid is inserted into the area between the gripping jaws, it is held by the latter through frictional contact
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the automatic opening and closing of reaction vessels. It comprises a holding device for the non-rotatable holding of one or more reaction vessels, a gripper for the gripping of a lid for the reaction vessel, wherein the gripper has gripping jaws to take hold of the lid, and a holding arm with a rotating mechanism for rotatable holding of the gripper. The gripping jaws are arranged in such a way that, when the lid is inserted into the area between the gripping jaws, it is held by the latter through frictional contact, and the gripper has no active operating device for opening and closing the gripping jaws.