Gripper Unit with Direct Piston Drive and Pivoting Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gripper units for handling objects are complex, prone to malfunction, and limited in their ability to handle objects with varying shapes and diameters, leading to inefficiencies and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A gripper unit design featuring two grippers and an actuator that move synchronously, allowing for three-point fixation of objects regardless of shape or diameter, with a compact and robust structure that minimizes downtime due to its direct operative connection and high-speed displacement capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gripper units use multiple linkages and intermediate components to convert vertical piston movement into horizontal slider movement, then the gripping function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and multi-part, leading to increased malfunction risk and higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate linkage components from the conventional gripper mechanism. Instead of using a piston connected via linkages to a slider, the invention directly connects the piston rod to the gripper arm, eliminating unnecessary intermediate parts and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the gripping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the piston rod directly drive the gripper arm in the desired horizontal motion direction, rather than using complex linkages to convert vertical piston movement into horizontal gripper movement. This direct connection approach simplifies the mechanism and reduces the number of parts.
2Stability of the object's composition
If gripper units use quadrant-shaped holding sections to securely grip objects, then gripping stability is improved, but the applicability is limited to objects with circular cross-section and defined diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gripper arm with a pivoting end that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This dynamic capability allows the gripper to adapt to various object shapes and sizes, eliminating the limitation of fixed quadrant-shaped holding sections while maintaining stable gripping through controlled pivoting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper arm design with pivoting capability provides universal applicability across different object types. Instead of requiring specific quadrant-shaped sections for circular objects only, the pivoting mechanism enables the same gripper structure to securely handle objects with various cross-sections and diameters, achieving multi-functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two pairs of grippers are arranged one above the other to fix objects with different cross sections, then object adaptability is improved, but the number of components required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves object cross-section adaptability through a single pivoting gripper arm that can adjust its position and orientation. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple fixed gripper pairs, reducing component count while maintaining the ability to handle various object shapes and sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivoting capability of the gripper arm allows it to adapt to different object cross-sections through motion rather than requiring multiple static gripper configurations. This dynamic adjustment reduces the number of components needed compared to having multiple fixed gripper pairs for different object types.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gripper unit (10) for gripping an object (12), in particular a container, comprising at least one gripper (14) and an actuator (16), wherein the gripper (14) is operatively connected to the actuator (16) so that they can be moved simultaneously. It is proposed to assign a first control section (18) to the gripper (14) and a second control section (20) to the actuator (16), the latter being displaceable along the first control section (18). Furthermore, the invention relates to a device with at least two gripper units. The gripper units are to be arranged one above the other, in particular with variable heights.