Gripping Head With Steering Plates For Wedge-Like Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping mechanisms for packages, such as suction cups and vacuum mats, often fail to effectively handle packages with straws, leading to inefficient and unsafe transfer and placement, especially when trying to stack them orderly in a box.
Innovation Solution
A gripping head with side steering plates and pressure finger plates that move towards and away from each other to grip, lift, and release groups of packages, allowing for safe and efficient transfer and positioning, even with packages having straws, by using a stop plate to adjust to different package forms and a mechanism that maintains friction and order during handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If suction cups are used to grip packages, then packages can be transferred and placed in a box, but packages with straws cannot be gripped effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping head is divided into multiple independent pressure finger plates, each capable of gripping individual packages. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different package configurations and types, including packages with straws, while maintaining reliable gripping through distributed contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure finger plates are designed to be movable and adaptable, allowing them to adjust their position and apply pressure dynamically. This dynamic capability enables the gripping mechanism to accommodate various package shapes and sizes, ensuring reliable gripping across different package types.
2Force
If vacuum mat is used to grip packages, then packages can be held and moved, but packages with straws are not gripped well
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single vacuum mat, the system uses multiple discrete pressure finger plates that can independently contact different parts of packages. This segmentation provides both the necessary gripping force through localized pressure and the adaptability to accommodate various package forms including those with straws.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pressure finger plate applies gripping force locally at specific contact points on the packages. This localized approach allows the system to generate sufficient gripping force while adapting to different package geometries and features, overcoming the limitations of uniform vacuum mat pressure.
3Manufacturing precision
If packages are transferred individually, then precise positioning is possible, but transfer time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping head combines multiple pressure finger plates into a single integrated unit that can grip and transfer multiple packages simultaneously. This merging maintains precise positioning control through the coordinated movement of all fingers while significantly increasing productivity by handling multiple packages in one operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping head is designed as a multi-functional device that can simultaneously grip, position, and transfer multiple packages of different types. This universal design achieves both precise positioning and high productivity by performing multiple functions in a single coordinated action.
4Device complexity
If conventional gripping means are used, then simple structure is maintained, but dropping of packages occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism is segmented into multiple pressure finger plates that distribute the gripping load across multiple contact points. This segmentation enhances package security by providing redundant gripping points while maintaining relatively simple individual finger structures that are easy to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple simple pressure finger plates are merged into a coordinated gripping system that provides enhanced package security. The combination of several simple elements creates a more reliable gripping mechanism that prevents package dropping while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
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 safe and efficient transfer of packages without dropping them, reduces running and maintenance costs, and ensures orderly placement in a box, minimizing the risk of damage and optimizing packing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The side steering plates and pressure finger plates are moved towards and away from each other to grip, move and release the group of packages
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a gripping head for packages of a wedge-like form. The invention also concerns a method of gripping a group of packages and transferring them into a box. The gripping head has side steering plates and pressure finger plates on two opposite sides. At one end of the gripping head a stop plate is arranged between the side steering plates and the pressure finger plates, while the opposite end is open. The side steering plates each has a number of steering plates and fingers of the pressure finger plates are placed on either side of the steering plates, which fingers are received in notches of the side steering plate. The fingers have folded lower ends. The side steering plates and the pressure finger plates are arranged mutually moveable bringing the folded lower ends of the fingers into and out of a position below the side steering plates.