Gripper Nozzle With Movable Collar For Precision Gemstone Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzles face challenges in picking up and dispensing small objects like gemstones due to gravitational and electrostatic forces, which cause sticking issues, and struggle to provide precise placement and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle with a moveable collar and central bore, capable of extending and retracting, uses pressure differentials and a tapered design to securely hold and orient small objects, allowing for precise dispensing onto a surface while maintaining a gap to prevent sticking, and utilizing an automated arm for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nozzle is used to pick up and dispense small objects, then the objects can be handled and moved, but gravitational and electrostatic forces cause sticking issues and imprecise placement
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates a movable collar that can dynamically adjust its position between retracted and extended states. This dynamic adjustment allows the nozzle to adapt to different operational phases: during pickup, the collar is retracted to minimize interference, while during dispensing, it extends to provide precise positioning control, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable pickup and precise placement
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the collar to optimize performance at different stages. By transitioning the collar between retracted and extended positions, the nozzle modifies its interaction with the small object, enabling reliable pickup when retracted and precise placement when extended, thus overcoming the sticking and precision issues
2Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle remains stationary, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide precise placement and orientation of small objects
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle employs a movable collar that can extend and retract along the nozzle body. This dynamic component adds precision capability without requiring complete redesign of the entire nozzle structure. The collar's movement provides the necessary adjustment for precise placement while maintaining the overall simplicity of the base nozzle design
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is segmented into distinct functional components: the stationary body and the movable collar. This segmentation allows the collar to independently perform the precision positioning function while the body maintains structural support, thereby achieving precise placement without excessively complicating the overall device
3Manufacturing precision
If the collar extends fully to provide precise placement, then object positioning is accurate, but the nozzle cannot maintain gap distance to prevent sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The collar's ability to dynamically adjust its extension provides the solution: it can extend to the precise placement position for accurate positioning, then retract to create the necessary gap for reliable object release. This dynamic movement resolves the contradiction between maintaining contact for precision and separating to prevent sticking
Solution Approach 2:
The collar operates through periodic cycles of extension and retraction. During the extension phase, precise placement is achieved; during the retraction phase, the gap is created to prevent sticking and enable reliable release. This periodic action allows the system to alternate between the two conflicting requirements
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 precise and reliable picking up and dispensing of small objects, maintaining their orientation and preventing sticking, with controlled placement on a surface, even for electrostatically charged items, ensuring accurate measurement and sorting.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure source can apply a negative or positive pressure to the aperture for picking up or dispensing objects, respectively
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle is biased into the retracted position by a biasing element, wherein the biasing element is one of: a spring, a coil spring, a resiliently deformable material
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle for picking up and dispensing an object comprises a body defining a central bore and terminating in an aperture configured to receive the object; a collar substantially surrounding the body, wherein the body is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to at least a portion of the collar. In the retracted position, the collar extends beyond the aperture by a first distance in the direction of a main longitudinal axis of the body. In the extended position, the collar extends beyond the aperture by a second distance in the direction of the main longitudinal axis of the body; wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.