Gripper Spreading Device for Liquid Container Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive clamping grippers used in automated analysis devices often cause liquid to splash when picking up or releasing liquid containers, leading to volume loss and potential contamination, while active gripping systems require excessive maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A controllable spreading device is integrated into the gripper to reduce the clamping force temporarily during liquid handling, preventing splashing and minimizing wear by only actuating when necessary, such as when handling liquid containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive clamping gripper is used to transfer liquid containers, then the gripper is robust and requires little maintenance, but liquid splashes out during picking up or releasing
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper system transitions from a purely passive static design to a dynamic system that can actively adjust its clamping force. The spreading device is actuated only during critical phases (picking up or releasing liquid containers) to temporarily reduce clamping force and prevent liquid splashing, while maintaining passive operation during transport to preserve mechanical simplicity and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading device operates periodically rather than continuously - it is actuated only during specific phases of the transfer cycle when liquid splashing risk exists (during picking up or releasing operations). This periodic activation prevents liquid ejection while minimizing wear on the active spreading mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an active gripping system is used to prevent liquid splashing, then liquid splashing is prevented, but the system requires excessive maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire gripper system active, only a partial active component (the spreading device) is introduced. This spreading device performs the specific function of preventing liquid splashing by temporarily reducing clamping force, while the rest of the gripper structure remains passive and mechanically simple, thus avoiding excessive maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the passive gripper structure and the liquid container. It mediates the interaction by temporarily altering the clamping force during critical operations, enabling the passive gripper to achieve active-like performance for liquid handling without requiring the entire system to be active.
3Strength
If the gripper clamps tightly to hold the liquid container, then the container is securely held, but liquid is accelerated and splashes against the inner wall
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading device is actuated in advance during the picking up or releasing phases to preemptively counteract the harmful effect of liquid splashing. By temporarily reducing clamping force before the container is fully secured or released, the system prevents the acceleration and splashing of liquid against inner walls before these harmful effects can occur.
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
The solution effectively prevents liquid splashing during the transfer of liquid containers while reducing mechanical wear by only using the spreading device when needed, thus enhancing the reliability and maintenance efficiency of the gripper system.
Implementation Method 1
A controllable spreading device is integrated into the gripper to reduce the clamping force temporarily during liquid handling
Implementation Method 2
The gripper is connected via a flexible intermediate element to the transfer arm
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic analysis device (1) comprising a device for transferring a liquid container using a clamping gripper (11). The clamping gripper (11) has a controllable spreading device (50) for this purpose.