Flexible Granular Gripper With Movable Suction Pad for Soft Workpieces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping tools face difficulties in gripping objects of various shapes and properties with high gripping force, especially when dealing with air-permeable or soft workpieces, as they struggle to maintain suction and prevent air leaks due to deformation.
Innovation Solution
A gripping tool design featuring a flexible gripper with a movable suction pad and a granular material, where the suction pad is connected to a pipe-shaped member allowing vertical movement, enhancing suction force and preventing the gripper from being sucked in, thus improving the gripping force and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional gripper is used to grip air-permeable or soft workpieces, then the gripping force is insufficient, but adding complex structures increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is divided into multiple independent granular material chambers separated by partitions. Each chamber can independently deform and maintain suction, preventing air leaks between chambers while gripping soft or air-permeable workpieces, thereby maintaining high gripping force without requiring complex overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gripper have different structural characteristics through the partition design. The granular material in each chamber can locally adapt to the workpiece shape and properties, providing optimized gripping force distribution across the surface while keeping the overall device simple
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gripper is made flexible to conform to various shapes, then air leaks occur during suction, but making it rigid reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible gripper is segmented into multiple chambers by partitions. Each chamber independently maintains negative pressure, so even when the flexible material deforms to match workpiece contours, air cannot leak between chambers. This preserves suction stability while maintaining shape adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The partitions act as intermediaries between granular material chambers, preventing air flow between chambers while allowing the flexible gripper material to deform and conform to the workpiece shape. This mediator structure resolves the conflict between flexibility and suction integrity
3Force
If the suction pad is fixed to increase structural simplicity, then the suction force is reduced, but making it movable increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The suction pad is designed to be movable relative to the granular material chambers rather than fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the suction pad to be positioned optimally for different workpiece sizes and shapes, maximizing suction force without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, as the movability itself provides the adaptability
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 enables the gripping tool to securely grip diverse workpieces by increasing suction force and preventing air leaks, allowing for effective handling of air-permeable and soft materials while maintaining a simple configuration and potential downsizing.
Implementation Method 1
The interior of the gripper is solidified by depressurizing
Implementation Method 2
The suction pad suctions a workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper and a suction pad. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The suction pad includes a pad portion and a pipe-shaped member and is surrounded with the gripper. The pad portion suctions a workpiece. The pipe-shaped member is connected to the pad portion. The suction pad is movable with respect to the gripper in a first direction. The first direction is from the pad portion toward the pipe-shaped member.