Gripping Unit Dovetail Adjustment for Bottle Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping systems for bottles in the packaging industry are not quickly adjustable or replaceable, making them inefficient for handling bottles of different diameters and speeds during transfer between processing machines.
Innovation Solution
A gripping unit with a gripper head that can be adjusted and exchanged, featuring a dovetail connection for vertical adjustment, a cam roller mechanism for opening and closing gripper arms, and a displacement unit for horizontal movement, allowing for precise positioning and secure attachment to transport systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional gripping systems are used, then bottles can be held and transported, but the system is not quickly adjustable or replaceable for different bottle diameters and speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping system is divided into modular components: a gripper head with adjustable opening, a displacement unit, and a fastening unit. This segmentation allows the gripper head to be quickly exchanged or adjusted independently, reducing adjustment time while maintaining adaptability to different bottle diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper head features a dynamically adjustable opening mechanism that can be quickly modified to accommodate different bottle diameters. The displacement unit enables horizontal movement to adjust the gripping position, allowing the system to adapt to varying bottle sizes without time-consuming reconfigurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gripper head is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different bottle diameters and speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper head incorporates a cam roller mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear displacement, enabling dynamic adjustment of the gripper arm opening. This dynamic mechanism allows adaptation to different bottle diameters through a relatively simple cam-based structure rather than complex multi-component actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement unit serves multiple functions: it enables horizontal movement of the gripper head for position adjustment, facilitates quick replacement of gripper heads, and accommodates varying bottle speeds through adjustable positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gripper arms are constantly adjusted during production, then adaptability is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex and less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper head opening is adjusted in advance before production runs begin, and the displacement unit positions the gripper head horizontally beforehand. These preliminary adjustments eliminate the need for constant modifications during production, maintaining mechanism reliability while preserving adaptability through pre-configured settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam roller mechanism automatically converts rotational motion into the linear displacement needed to adjust gripper arm opening, eliminating the need for complex external adjustment mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains reliability by reducing the number of moving parts that could fail during production.
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 quick and secure gripping of bottles at varying diameters and speeds, preventing collisions and facilitating easy replacement of gripper heads, ensuring efficient transfer between processing units.
Implementation Method 1
a dovetail connection for vertical adjustment
Implementation Method 2
a cam roller mechanism for opening and closing gripper arms
Implementation Method 3
a displacement unit for horizontal movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a gripping unit (10) for transport systems for holding and moving articles. A gripping unit (10) according to the invention comprises a gripper head (12) having at least two gripper arms (20a, 20b) that can be opened and closed relative to each other. The head part of the article to be gripped and transported is held in the opening (21) formed between the gripper arms (20a, 20b). The gripping unit (10) further comprises a sliding unit (14). According to the invention, the sliding unit (14) is movably mounted on the transport system via a fastening unit (16) or directly. The gripping unit (10) further comprises means (50, 51, 52, 54, 60) for the interchangeable fastening, adjustment, and spatial fixing of the gripper head (12) in a first direction of movement (A) on the gripping unit (10).According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means (50, 51, 52, 54, 60) serve to move the gripper head (12) vertically relative to the gripping unit (10) and/or relative to the transport system, which are arranged between the gripper head (12) and the displacement unit (14) or between the gripper head (12) and the transport system.