Gripper Head Kit With Air Conveyor for Delicate Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suction cups require a minimum surface area and threshold suction force, making them unsuitable for delicate components, and introduce secondary valves that increase cycle time and system weight, reducing performance.
Innovation Solution
A gripper head apparatus with interchangeable gripper heads and an air conveyor system that generates airflow to securely hold components, allowing for transport of components with minimal surface area or fragility, and a kit for attaching different gripper heads to a single body for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard suction cups are used to transport components, then components with sufficient surface area can be held securely, but components with minimal surface area or delicate structures cannot be transported without risk of dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of suction generation from vacuum-based to airflow-based. The air conveyor generates a controlled airflow that creates suction forces through the nest structure, allowing adaptation to components with minimal surface area or delicate structures that cannot withstand traditional vacuum suction forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an air conveyor (pneumatic device) to generate controlled airflow instead of traditional vacuum systems. The airflow passes through the nest structure to create suction forces, providing a gentler and more adaptable holding mechanism for delicate components while maintaining reliable transport capability.
2Ease of operation
If secondary valves are added to provide ejection pulse for component release, then component release is enabled, but the cycle time of the transport unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the secondary valve component entirely from the system. Component release is achieved through the primary valve by modulating the airflow, eliminating the need for separate ejection pulses and secondary valves. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces cycle time while maintaining full release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary valve is designed to perform multiple functions: both generating suction forces for component holding and enabling component release through airflow modulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate secondary valves, simplifying the system and reducing cycle time while maintaining ease of operation.
3Force
If large suction rate is required to hold components, then component holding force is sufficient, but the weight and size of the end of arm tooling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lightweight air conveyor to generate controlled airflow that creates sufficient suction forces through the nest structure. This pneumatic approach replaces heavy mechanical vacuum systems, reducing the weight and size of the end of arm tooling while maintaining adequate holding force for component transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes from high-vacuum parameters to controlled airflow parameters. The air conveyor delivers sufficient suction force through optimized airflow rates and nest structure design, achieving the required holding force with significantly reduced tooling weight and size compared to traditional high-vacuum systems.
4Ease of operation
If conventional suction cups with secondary valves are used, then component release is possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the secondary valve from the system entirely. Component release functionality is achieved through the primary valve by controlling airflow modulation. This elimination of redundant components directly reduces device complexity while preserving the essential release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary valve is designed to perform both suction generation and component release functions through airflow modulation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate secondary valves, simplifying the overall device architecture and reducing complexity while maintaining full operational capability.
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 secure transport of delicate components with minimal surface area without dropping, reduces cycle time, and allows a single apparatus to handle multiple component types, enhancing system performance and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
an air conveyor positioned within the chamber. The air conveyor is configured to generate the air flow through an inlet and out through the exhaust
Implementation Method 2
The nest is configured to locate and releasably hold the component based on the air flow generated within the chamber and discharged through the exhaust
Data Source
AI summary
A kit is provided for a gripping apparatus. The gripping apparatus includes a body defining a chamber and an exhaust at a first end of the body. The gripping apparatus also includes an air conveyor positioned within the chamber. The air conveyor is configured to generate an air flow through an inlet and out through the exhaust. The kit includes a plurality of gripper heads each configured to be attached to a second end of the body opposite to the first end. Each gripper head defines a respective interchangeable nest that is different among the plurality of gripper heads. Each gripper head is configured to locate and releasably hold one of a plurality of components based on the air flow generated within the chamber and discharged through the exhaust.