Gripper With Resilient Arms For Flat Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grippers for conveying flat objects, such as newspapers and magazines, are limited in their ability to securely grasp and convey objects of varying thicknesses and weights, and can cause smearing issues due to the distribution of clamping forces, especially when handling printed products with unformed ink.
Innovation Solution
The gripper design features clamping tongues with distal ends having two outward arms that carry clamping jaws spaced apart, allowing for a resilient clamping effect and adaptable bearing surfaces, which reduces torque and sliding movements, enabling secure grip of objects with unequal thicknesses and minimizing smearing risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single clamping jaw is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot securely grasp objects with varying thicknesses and weights
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw is divided into two separate arms that can be independently resilient, allowing each arm to adapt to different object thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are designed to be resilient in the direction of the clamping force, allowing them to dynamically adjust to objects of varying thicknesses and weights while maintaining secure grasping
2Object-affected harmful factors
If clamping force is concentrated at one point, then the gripping force is strong, but it causes smearing on printed products with unformed ink
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force is segmented into two separate contact points through the two arms, distributing the total gripping force to reduce localized pressure and prevent smearing while maintaining overall gripping strength
Solution Approach 2:
Each arm can be independently resilient, allowing local adaptation of clamping force distribution to match the local properties of the printed product, reducing smearing risk while maintaining adequate gripping force
3Stability of the object's composition
If the arms are rigid, then the clamping force is stable, but it creates torque and sliding movements on printed products
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed to be resilient rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically absorb torque and prevent sliding movements while maintaining stable clamping force through elastic deformation
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 design enhances the stability and secure handling of flat objects, including groups with different thicknesses, while minimizing the risk of smearing and torque absorption, allowing for effective conveyance of both thin and thick, light and heavy printed products.
Implementation Method 1
The arms of the at least one clamping tongue are designed to be resilient in the direction of the clamping force
Data Source
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AI summary
A gripper for holding and conveying flat objects (P) in a firmly held manner, in particular printed material such as newspapers, magazines or brochures, comprises two clamping tongues (4 and 5) which can pivot relative to one another into an open and into a closed configuration, wherein the clamping tongues (4 and 5) are pressed against one another in the closed configuration. The distal ends of at least one of the clamping tongues (4 and 5) are fitted with two elastic arms (30) that extend laterally away from the clamping tongue, in the same direction as the clamping force, a clamping jaw (10, 11) being arranged at the free end of each of the arms. The contact surfaces of the clamping jaws of at least one clamping tongue adapt to fit the contact surface of an opposite clamping jaw or a clamped object, under compression force, for example in that they are mounted on the arm (30) by means of a ball joint. The gripper is particularly suitable for holding and conveying flat objects of very different types, and flat objects with zones of different thicknesses, in a firmly held manner.