Gripper Device with Pivotable Hooked Fingers for Crate Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper devices require precise guidance and control to handle beverage crates of specific contours and sizes, limiting their versatility in gripping and palletizing different types and sizes of crates.
Innovation Solution
A gripper device with multiple pivotable gripper units, each equipped with hook-shaped fingers that can be arranged at different heights and moved linearly, allowing for flexible engagement with lateral recesses of varying sizes and heights, and featuring independent mounting and spring-activated mechanisms for secure gripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hook gripping systems with centrally controlled tilting shafts are used, then the gripping mechanism can handle standard crate sizes, but the system lacks versatility for different crate types and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is divided into multiple independent gripper units (at least two), each with its own pivotable hooks. Each gripper unit can independently engage with crates of different sizes and configurations, eliminating the need for a single complex centralized control system while increasing adaptability to various crate types.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing each gripper unit to dynamically adjust its engagement angle and position. This dynamic capability enables the same gripper structure to handle multiple crate sizes and configurations without requiring complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-height hooks are used, then the gripping mechanism is structurally simple, but it cannot accommodate crates with recesses at varying heights
Solution Approach 1:
The hooks are arranged at different vertical heights within the gripper assembly, adding a vertical dimension to the gripping capability. This multi-level arrangement allows simultaneous engagement with crates having recesses at different heights, expanding the range of accommodatable crate configurations without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If precisely guided and controlled gripper devices are used, then gripping reliability for specific crate contours is improved, but the system cannot flexibly handle different crate formations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the gripper into multiple independent units with pivotable hooks, each unit can independently adapt to the specific contour and formation of the crate while maintaining reliable engagement. This segmentation allows the system to handle various crate formations reliably without requiring complex centralized guidance and control mechanisms.
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 reliable and safe gripping and palletizing of different crate sizes and formations, including rows and layers, with improved tolerance for varying box dimensions and recess heights, enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
featuring independent mounting and spring-activated mechanisms for secure gripping
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A gripping device (10) for simultaneously grasping and/or gripping several containers and/or boxes (12) open at the top and provided with lateral recesses (14), with or without beverage containers or bottles contained therein, is disclosed. The gripping device (10) comprises at least two gripping units (16), each having a plurality of movable gripper fingers (18) with hook-shaped ends (20) that can be inserted into the lateral recesses (14) of the containers and/or boxes (12). The hook-shaped ends (20) of the at least two gripper fingers (18) of the respective gripping units (16), which can be engaged separately with the box recesses (14), are arranged at different heights relative to the box recesses (14).