Grip Assembly for Suitcase Tray Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of customized transportable containers like suitcases and trunks requires manual handling and assembly due to varied formats, leading to high production costs and inefficiencies, as automated processes are not feasible with multiple formats.

Innovation Solution

A grip assembly with a programmable grip hand that can actuate along predefined paths to handle and transport containment trays with variable dimensions, allowing for automated movement and assembly of half-shells without human intervention, using a grip hand that interfaces with a standardized perimetric portion of the trays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual assembly and handling is used to accommodate varied formats, then adaptability to different product formats is improved, but production costs increase and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different product formatsVSAvoidproduction time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The containment tray is divided into multiple seats that can be independently configured. Each seat can accommodate half-shells of different formats, allowing the same tray structure to handle varied product formats through segmentation of the containment space rather than requiring completely different trays for each format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single grip assembly with standardized perimetric gripping portions is designed to handle multiple formats of containment trays. The grip hand is programmed to recognize and grip the universal perimetric features, enabling one device to perform multiple functions across different product formats, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If human operators are employed for assembly and handling, then flexibility in handling various formats is improved, but production costs rise significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handling various formatsVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The containment trays are designed with self-identifying perimetric portions that automatically guide the grip hand's positioning and gripping action. The standardized features enable the automated system to identify and handle different formats without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in recognizing and processing various product formats while eliminating labor costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated processes are implemented for standardized products, then productivity and cost-efficiency are improved, but adaptability to varied formats deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidability to handle different formats

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The grip assembly incorporates programmable control that allows dynamic adjustment of gripping force, positioning, and movement paths. This dynamic capability enables the same automated grip assembly to adapt its parameters when handling different formats of containment trays, maintaining high productivity while gaining versatility through software-controlled flexibility rather than mechanical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8328252B2Grip assembly, particularly for suitcases and trunks

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 G T LINE

AI summary

A grip assembly, particularly for suitcases and trunks, constituted substantially by two mutually articulated half-shells which are adapted to form an internal containment compartment. The grip assembly comprises at least one grip hand which can be actuated on command, according to predefined paths, for the removable gripping and transport of selectively one among a plurality of containment trays for the half-shells. The gripping occurs at a perimetric portion having a predefined shape that is common to all of the trays. Each tray comprises at least one seat having variable dimensions at its central portion for accommodating half-shells of various formats.