Gripper Head With Inclined Linear Actuator for Packaging Blank Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper heads face challenges in safely handling and transporting packaging cuts without damaging them, especially when dealing with different formats and dimensions, and often require replacement when handling varied formats.
Innovation Solution
A gripper head design featuring an upper and lower gripping unit, along with a separation unit equipped with a linear actuator, allows for safe handling and transportation of packaging cuts by lifting the outer edges and adjusting the gripping units to accommodate different formats and dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a gripper head clamps packaging blanks from a stack, then the packaging blanks can be transported to the packaging machine, but the packaging blanks may be bent or damaged during reception
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper head is divided into an upper gripping unit and a lower gripping unit that operate independently. The lower gripping unit inserts into the stack to grip packaging blanks from below, while the upper gripping unit provides support from above. This segmentation allows gentle handling without excessive clamping force that could cause bending or damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating unit performs a preliminary lifting action on the outer edges of the packaging blanks before the gripping units engage. This preliminary action creates space and positions the packaging blanks properly, allowing the gripping units to clamp them gently without causing damage during the reception process.
2Device complexity
If the gripper head uses a fixed design, then the structure is simple, but it cannot handle packaging blanks of different formats without replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The lower gripping unit is designed with movable components that can adapt its position and configuration. The separating unit can lift outer edges to different positions, and the gripping units can adjust their engagement points. This dynamic design allows the same gripper head to handle packaging blanks of different formats without replacement, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
3Productivity
If the gripper head clamps multiple packaging blanks, then handling efficiency improves, but the risk of accidental detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping function is segmented between the upper and lower gripping units, each contributing to securing the packaging blanks. The lower gripping unit engages with the bottom edges while the upper gripping unit secures the top edges, distributing the clamping force evenly across multiple blanks and preventing accidental detachment while maintaining efficient handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating unit performs a preliminary lifting action on the outer edges of the packaging blanks before the gripping units engage. This preliminary action creates proper spacing and positioning, ensuring that when the gripping units clamp the blanks, they do so securely without causing accidental detachment, thus maintaining both handling speed and clamping security.
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 safe and efficient handling of packaging cuts, reducing the risk of damage and allowing for easy acceptance and handling of cuts with different formats, thereby improving process reliability and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a separating unit (18) with a linear actuator (16), by means of which the outer edges of the respective packaging blanks (50) are lifted
Implementation Method 2
an upper gripping unit (17) and a lower gripping unit (19), by means of which the outer edges of the respective packaging blanks (50) are lifted
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~3A
AI summary
A gripper head (10) for handling packaging blanks is disclosed. The gripper head (10) comprises an upper gripping unit (17) and a lower gripping unit (19), which are designed for jointly clamping several packaging blanks from a stack (50) containing a plurality of packaging blanks. The gripper head (10) further comprises a separating unit designed for lifting the outer edges of the respective packaging blanks intended for clamping. For lifting the outer edges, the separating unit comprises a linear actuator (16), which is arranged such that its straight lifting axis is inclined relative to a contact surface of the lower gripper unit (19) when the separating unit (18) lifts the outer edges of the respective packaging blanks via the linear actuator (16).