Gripping Device With Three-Arm Gear Mechanism for Variable Workpiece Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices require multiple tools and increased time for tool replacement when handling workpieces of varying sizes, and are often too heavy for small robots to manipulate, due to the need for larger motors and components, which limits workspace efficiency and storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with a first and second arm that clamp the workpiece, and a third arm that engages with it, utilizing a gear mechanism that moves to different positions to adjust the arms' positions and interactions, allowing for the gripping of various-sized workpieces with a single motor, reducing the weight and complexity of the operation tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gripping device is designed to handle multiple workpiece sizes, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple tools or larger components
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is designed with three arms (first arm, second arm, and third arm) that can be selectively engaged with workpieces of different sizes. The rotation member can contact different arms to perform different gripping functions, allowing a single device to handle multiple workpiece sizes without requiring tool replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation member is designed to move between different positions to contact different arms dynamically. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the gripping device to adapt its structure for different workpiece sizes during operation, rather than requiring multiple fixed configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gripping device uses multiple motors to drive different arms, then gripping capability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple arms (first arm, second arm, and third arm) are driven by a single rotation member that can contact different arms at different positions. This merges the driving function into one motor, eliminating the need for multiple motors and reducing the overall weight of the gripping device.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotation member serves multiple functions by contacting different arms to drive them. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate motors for each arm, significantly reducing device weight while maintaining full gripping capability.
3Reliability
If a gripping device includes a member to engage with the workpiece, then gripping stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The third arm that engages with the workpiece is integrated into the same rotation member system that drives the first and second arms. This merging of the engagement function into the existing rotational mechanism adds gripping stability without requiring a completely separate drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation member serves as both the drive mechanism for the clamping arms and the engagement mechanism for the third arm. This multi-functional design provides stable workpiece engagement while avoiding the complexity of separate drive and engagement systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation tools are prepared for different workpiece sizes, then adaptability is improved, but storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is designed as a universal tool with three arms that can be selectively engaged to handle different workpiece sizes. This eliminates the need to store multiple separate gripping devices, as one device can perform all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple gripping functions for different workpiece sizes are merged into a single gripping device structure. The rotation member can contact different arms to provide various gripping configurations, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate tools into one device.
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
Enables efficient handling of multiple workpiece sizes with reduced tool complexity and weight, allowing small robots to manipulate larger workpieces, and optimizing workspace efficiency by minimizing the need for multiple tools and storage space.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation member that comes into contact with the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm, and moves the respective arms
Implementation Method 2
a rotation member moving cylinder for moving the rotation member to a first position, a second position, and a third position between the first position and the second position
Data Source
AI summary
An operation tool as a gripping device includes a first arm and a second arm that move in directions opposite to each other, and a third arm for engaging with a workpiece. The operation tool includes a gear and a gear moving cylinder for causing the gear to move to a first position, a second position, and a third position between the first position and the second position. The first arm and the second arm move when the gear is disposed at the first position. The third arm moves when the gear is disposed at the second position. The gear is separated from all of the arms when the gear is disposed at the third position.