Compact Gripper for Mounting Rubber Elastic Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mounting of rubber elastic rings, such as o-rings, is costly and existing tools are not suitable for compact installations like robot arms due to their large size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A gripper device with independently movable forming and bearing jaws, actuated by a linear piston and pressure pins, allows for the automatic mounting of rubber elastic rings on both the inside and outside of work pieces, featuring a compact design with synchronized jaw movement and adjustable stroke for precise ring placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tools with power and spreading arms controlled by piston/cylinder units are used, then rubber elastic rings can be mounted, but the tool becomes large in radial direction and unsuitable for compact installations
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into multiple functional components: a holder for receiving the ring, multiple pressing elements that can be independently actuated, and a coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the tool to fit in compact spaces while maintaining full mounting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing elements are designed to be dynamically controllable through independent actuation, allowing the tool to adapt its configuration during operation. The coupling mechanism enables dynamic coordination between pressing elements, allowing the tool to maintain functionality while reducing radial size compared to traditional rigid structures.
2Ease of operation
If multiple independent actuators are provided for each jaw, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pressing elements are coupled together through a coupling mechanism that allows them to be actuated in a coordinated manner. This merging approach enables precise control of multiple jaws through fewer actuators, reducing device complexity while maintaining control precision through the coupling mechanism's ability to synchronize movement.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design with common actuator is used, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision for ring placement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates feedback capabilities that allow the actuator to adjust the positioning of pressing elements based on their actual positions. This ensures that even with a compact design and common actuator, the ring can be placed with high precision through continuous monitoring and adjustment of element positions.
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 fully automatic, accurate, and secure mounting of rubber elastic rings in work piece openings, reducing costs and improving installation efficiency by allowing for precise radial expansion and inward holding of the rings.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator piston then acts upon the set cylinder on the side of the linear piston and can be pressurized on at least one side
Implementation Method 2
A spring element can, for example, generate a reset force of the actuator piston
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper device (10) is provided for mounting rubber elastic rings (5) on the inner wall (62) of a workpiece opening and/or on the exterior of a workpiece. The device includes a basic housing (12), forming jaws (14) that are displaced in relation to the basic housing (12) and bearing jaws (16). To displace the plate element together with the jaws that are located on the element in an axial direction, the element is provided with a piston (20) which engages in a piston cylinder (22) in the basic housing. The displacement of the jaws that are located on the plate element (18) is mechanically coupled by a common actuator (24) and the actuator (24) is driven by an actuator piston (25) that is located in the piston (20).