Gripper Assembly With Local Valve For Fast Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gripper systems in automated handling equipment face delays due to the length and volume of air lines required for pneumatic actuation, resulting in significant reaction time between controller valve switching and gripper jaw movement.
Innovation Solution
The gripper assembly incorporates a fluid-driven actuator with an electronically controlled solenoid valve located adjacent to the actuator, allowing for rapid electronic actuation of the gripper jaws with reduced air line length and constant pressurization, enabling faster operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a remote central air source with long air lines is used to actuate grippers, then the system structure is simplified and air supply is centralized, but the reaction time between valve switching and gripper movement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized air supply system is segmented into distributed local air sources at each gripper assembly. Each gripper has its own air source and valve assembly, eliminating the need for long interconnecting air lines while maintaining centralized control capability. This segmentation reduces the distance air must travel and eliminates the volume of long air lines that delay pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
Air sources at each gripper assembly maintain constant readiness by keeping air lines pressurized or ready to pressurize immediately. The local air sources are pre-positioned at each gripper, so when the controller activates a valve, pressurization begins immediately without waiting for air to travel through long lines from a remote source.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long air lines are used to connect remote air source to grippers, then the system layout is flexible, but the volume of air lines increases leading to longer pressurization time
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution network is segmented into short local connections at each gripper assembly rather than one or two long continuous lines. Each gripper assembly includes its own air source and valve, creating independent segments that eliminate the cumulative volume problem of long interconnecting lines while preserving layout flexibility through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Local air sources and valve assemblies act as intermediaries between the controller and gripper jaws. These intermediaries are positioned at each gripper assembly, eliminating the need for long air lines to directly connect a remote air source to each gripper. The intermediaries maintain local air supply readiness while reducing total air line volume.
3Device complexity
If conventional pneumatic actuation with remote air source is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but operating speed of gripper jaws is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent gripper assemblies, each with its own air source and valve. This segmentation eliminates the speed limitation imposed by long air lines in conventional systems while maintaining pneumatic actuation simplicity. Each module operates independently with minimal air line length, enabling faster response without complex centralized control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each gripper assembly maintains preliminary readiness through local air sources that can immediately pressurize when needed. This pre-positioning of air supply capability at each gripper eliminates the delay of pressurizing long air lines from a remote source, enabling faster operation while keeping the overall system conceptually simple and modular.
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
This configuration reduces reaction time to less than 100 milliseconds and reflex time to less than 40 milliseconds, enhancing manufacturing efficiency by minimizing waiting time and air consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic actuator that moves a pair of gripper jaws between open and closed positions. For example, the pneumatic actuator includes a piston within a chamber, a piston rod coupled for movement with the piston, and an air supply port on each side of the piston. An air source delivers pressurized air through one of the ports to move the piston
Implementation Method 2
the valve is an electronically controlled solenoid connected with a central controller for selectively actuating the fluid-driven actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper assembly includes at least one gripper jaw, a fluid driven actuator for moving the at least one gripper jaw, and a valve located adjacent the fluid driven actuator for selectively delivering a fluid to the fluid driven actuator.