Gripping Claw Separator for Workpiece Picking

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional workpiece picking devices face issues with separating the second workpiece from the topmost workpiece during the picking process, leading to the second workpiece being lifted together, which increases device size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A workpiece picking device with a chuck featuring gripping claws and a built-in separator, where the separator includes a pressing part that can be projected downward to separate the topmost workpiece from the second workpiece, utilizing air pressure to operate the separator in conjunction with the gripping claws, thereby ensuring reliable separation without increasing the device's size or cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a workpiece presser or workpiece separation device is added to separate the second workpiece from the topmost workpiece, then the separation reliability is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is integrated inside the gripping claw structure, merging the separation function with the gripping function. The pressing part is housed within the gripping claw body, eliminating the need for separate external separation devices and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining separation reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separator components (pressing part and driving part) are nested inside the gripping claw. The pressing part is positioned within the gripping claw's internal space, and the driving part is integrated into the gripping claw's actuation mechanism, achieving space-efficient design that reduces device size without compromising separation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a workpiece presser or workpiece separation device is added to separate the second workpiece from the topmost workpiece, then the separation reliability is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is integrated inside the gripping claw structure, merging the separation function with the gripping function. The pressing part is housed within the gripping claw body, eliminating the need for separate external separation devices and reducing overall device size while maintaining separation reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separator components (pressing part and driving part) are nested inside the gripping claw. The pressing part is positioned within the gripping claw's internal space, and the driving part is integrated into the gripping claw's actuation mechanism, achieving space-efficient design that reduces device size without compromising separation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the pressing part is projected downward to separate the workpieces, then the separation effectiveness is improved, but the picking time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidpicking time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is pre-positioned inside the gripping claw before the picking operation begins. The pressing part is already in place within the gripping claw, ready to immediately press the second workpiece when the gripping claw closes, eliminating the need for separate separation actions and reducing overall picking time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping and separation actions are combined into a single continuous operation. As the gripping claw closes to grasp the topmost workpiece, the pressing part simultaneously presses the second workpiece, making the separation action continuous with the gripping action rather than a separate step, thereby reducing total picking time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 allows for efficient and reliable separation of workpieces, reducing the device's size and cost by integrating the separator within the gripping claw, minimizing the time required for picking up individual workpieces while preventing the second workpiece from being lifted along with the topmost one.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing air pressure to operate the separator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10766078B2Workpiece picking device

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A workpiece picking device configured to pick up plate-like or pillar-shaped workpieces one at a time from the top of the workpieces stacked in the vertical direction, the workpiece picking device including: a chuck including a plurality of gripping claws arranged around the topmost workpiece and configured to grip a side surface of the topmost workpiece, and movable in a vertical direction, and a separator provided inside at least one of the gripping claws, and configured to separate the topmost workpiece gripped by the plurality of gripping claws from the second workpiece, the separator including a pressing part configured to be projectable downwardly from the at least one of the gripping claws toward the second workpiece, and a driving part configured to press the pressing part against the second workpiece by moving the pressing part toward the second workpiece.