Gravity-Pivoting Work Holding Mechanism for Vacuum Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional work holding mechanisms for material handling equipment, such as those used for transporting wafers, are not suitable for vacuum environments due to the use of air cylinders and have complex mechanical structures with many parts, making them heavy and difficult to simplify.
Innovation Solution
A work holding mechanism featuring a base member with guide members that pivot using the weight of the work to prevent lateral shifting, allowing for accurate positioning and operation in vacuum environments, with a simple and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air cylinder is used to move the clamp pawls, then the work holding mechanism can effectively hold and position the work, but it cannot operate in a vacuum environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the air cylinder (pneumatic system) with a gravity-based mechanical system. The guide members pivot automatically under the weight of the workpiece, eliminating the need for pneumatic actuators and enabling operation in vacuum environments where air cylinders cannot function.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece's own weight is utilized to actuate the guide members. When the workpiece is placed on the base member, gravity causes the contact portions to pivot the guide members automatically, eliminating the need for external actuation systems.
2Reliability
If an air cylinder and multiple actuating parts are used, then the clamp pawls can be moved to hold the work, but the mechanical structure becomes complex and weight reduction becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the air cylinder and associated actuating mechanisms from the system. Only the essential guide members with contact and limit portions remain, dramatically simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining work positioning capability through gravity-based operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the workpiece's weight as the actuating force, eliminating the need for separate actuators, springs, and control mechanisms. This self-actuating approach reduces part count and structural complexity while ensuring reliable work positioning.
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 mechanism effectively prevents positional deviations during transport, enhancing transportation speed and allowing operation in vacuum conditions while reducing weight and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The contact portion comes into contact with part of the lower surface of the perimeter of the work and is pushed down about the shaft when the work is placed on the base member. The limit portion is raised about the shaft to face part of the side surface of the perimeter of the work when the contact portion is lowered.
Data Source
AI summary
A work holding mechanism for horizontally holding a flat work is incorporated in work transport equipment. The holding mechanism includes a base member for supporting the work and a plurality of guide members provided at the base member. Each guide member includes a shaft, a contact portion and a limit portion. The shaft is pivotally supported by the base member. The contact portion comes into contact with part of the lower surface of the perimeter of the work and is pushed down, with the shaft as a fulcrum, when the work is placed on the base member. The limit portion is raised, with the shaft as a fulcrum, to face part of the side surface of the perimeter of the work when the contact portion is lowered.