Gripper Structure with Segmented Screw Rod for Extended Stroke
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional long-stroke gripper structures are limited by midline restrictions, leading to torsional loss and reduced support strength, as clamping elements can only move within the length of the screw rod, limiting their functionality and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A gripper structure featuring a single screw rod combined with two rotatory nuts, allowing the clamping elements to move freely across the midline, with each rotatory nut connected to a driving module, enabling independent displacement and enhancing support strength, and allowing for increased stroke length through the addition of extension screws without redesigning the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single screw rod is used with two rotatory nuts, then the clamping elements can move in full region without midline restriction, but the support strength and stability of the screw rod structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single screw rod is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other along the rod axis. The rotatory nuts are positioned on different segments, allowing clamping elements to operate in full region without midline restriction while each segment provides localized support to maintain structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The screw rod structure transitions from a fixed one-dimensional arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration where rod segments can displace along the axis. This adds a degree of freedom that enables full-range clamping motion while distributing support requirements across multiple segments
2Length of moving object
If the screw rod length is increased to extend clamping stroke, then the movement range of clamping elements is improved, but the torsional loss and reduced support strength occur
Solution Approach 1:
The long screw rod is segmented into multiple shorter sections that can displace relative to each other. This segmentation reduces the effective length of each segment, thereby minimizing torsional loss while achieving extended clamping stroke through cumulative displacement of segments
Solution Approach 2:
The screw rod structure becomes dynamic with segments capable of relative axial displacement. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve long stroke without requiring a single long rigid rod, thus reducing torsional loss while maintaining support strength
3Strength
If two screw rods are used on both sides, then the support strength is improved, but the device complexity and synchronized displacement requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate screw rod systems are merged into a single screw rod with two rotatory nuts. This consolidation reduces the number of independent drive systems from two to one, simplifying the device while maintaining support strength through the segmented rod structure that can provide localized support at multiple positions
4Device complexity
If the clamping bases are limited to move within screw rod length, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and operation flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping bases are no longer constrained to fixed positions within screw rod length. The segmented screw rod structure enables dynamic positioning where clamping bases can operate across the full region as segments displace, significantly improving productivity and operation flexibility without adding complex constraint 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
This configuration enables full-range movement of clamping elements without midline restrictions, reduces torsional loss, and enhances support strength, while allowing for adjustable stroke length without redesign, thereby increasing the gripper's versatility and application diversity.
Implementation Method 1
The gripper structure includes a screw rod main body extended along a first direction, a first rotatory nut and a second rotatory nut sleeved on two sides of the screw rod main body
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper structure is disclosed and includes a screw-rod main body, a first rotatory nut, a second rotatory nut, a first driving module, a second driving module, a first clamping element and a second clamping element. The first rotatory nut and the second rotatory nut are disposed on two sides of the screw-rod main extended along a first direction body, respectively, and bilaterally symmetrical to each other. The first driving module and the second driving module are configured to drive the first rotatory nut and the second rotatory nut to rotate, respectively. The first rotatory nut and the second rotatory nut are allowed to pass through a midline of the screw-rod main body. When the first driving module drives the first rotatory nut or/and the second driving module drives the second rotatory nut, the first clamping element and the second clamping element are relatively displaced in the first direction to achieve a clamping operation.