Gripper Device Magnetic Guide Rail Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gripper devices for overhead hoist transport vehicles face issues with maintenance due to screw damage or loosening under object weight and vibrations, and require additional power to prevent object falling, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A gripper device with a guide rail on the upper surface of a base plate, movable guide blocks, and gripping parts with claw sections, along with an elastic cushion member to prevent opening and secure the object, reducing maintenance needs and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guide rail is fixed to the bottom surface of the top panel portion with screws, then the guide rail can be securely attached, but the screws may be damaged or loosened due to object weight and vibrations during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical fastening system with a magnetic attachment system. The guide rail is equipped with a magnet that attracts the guide block, eliminating the need for screws. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing secure attachment (improving reliability) without the maintenance issues of screw damage or loosening (improving ease of repair).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from mechanical (screws) to magnetic field-based. By utilizing magnetic attraction force as the retaining parameter instead of mechanical fastening, the system achieves both secure attachment and reduced maintenance requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power feeding to the drive section is stopped during object conveyance to lower power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but gripping power decreases which may result in object falling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary retaining force between the guide rail and guide block. This magnetic attraction acts as a backup retaining mechanism that works independently of the drive section power state, allowing the drive section to be stopped for energy savings while the magnetic field maintains object retention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attraction force serves as a pre-established safety mechanism that is always active, providing a cushioning effect against potential object dropping. This prior cushioning allows the system to reduce power consumption during conveyance without compromising reliability.
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 enhances the reliability of object retention, reduces maintenance requirements, and maintains a simple structure while preventing object falling and vibration transmission, thus improving safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member is provided between the hoist drive section and the hoist table to prevent vibrations of the overhead hoist transport vehicle from being transmitted to the object
Implementation Method 2
a cushion member that includes an elastic member and is provided on the chuck parts... movement of the chuck parts is restricted by a friction force generated between the chuck parts and the hoist section
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper device for a transport vehicle includes a base plate, a guide rail provided on an upper surface of the base plate, a pair of guide blocks arranged to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction toward and away from each other along the guide rail, and a pair of gripping parts. Each of the gripping parts includes a horizontal portion fixed to an upper surface of one of the guide blocks and arranged to extend substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base plate, a vertical portion arranged to extend downward from the horizontal portion to a position lower than that of the base plate, and a claw section provided on a lower end of the vertical portion and arranged to grip an object.