Hairpin Gripper Layout for Variable End Geometry Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The diverse geometries of hairpins in electric machine components, such as stators and rotors, complicate handling and require complex, expensive gripping systems.
Innovation Solution
A gripping apparatus with a basic body, a first gripper, and a movable second gripper, allowing for flexible adjustment to grip conductive members with varying geometries, including U-shaped hairpins, using a combination of gears and guide members for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a standardized gripping apparatus is used for all hairpin geometries, then device complexity is reduced, but gripping reliability deteriorates due to varying limb positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable second gripper that can be positioned at different locations along a circular path to adapt to varying hairpin geometries. This dynamic adjustment capability allows a single standardized apparatus to reliably grip different hairpin configurations without requiring multiple specialized devices, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and gripping reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping apparatus is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple hairpin geometries through the combination of a stationary first gripper and a movable second gripper. The second gripper can be positioned at various angular locations (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to accommodate different limb positions, making the apparatus universally applicable to diverse hairpin configurations while maintaining simple standardized structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple grippers are used to handle different hairpin geometries, then gripping adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using multiple fixed grippers for different geometries, the patent employs a single movable second gripper that can dynamically reposition itself along a circular path. This dynamic positioning system provides gripping adaptability for various hairpin configurations while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate gripper mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular positioning as an additional dimension for the second gripper, allowing it to move along a circular path at different angular locations. This dimensional approach enables the gripper to adapt to varying hairpin geometries without requiring multiple grippers, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping apparatus for gripping at least one of several conductive members. The gripping apparatus is configured to grip different geometries of conductive members. The conductive member includes a first and a second conductive member end portion. The gripping apparatus includes a basic body, a first gripping device having a first gripper, wherein the first gripping device is configured to grip the first conductive member end portion or the second conductive member end portion of a predetermined conductive member via the first gripper. The gripping apparatus further has a second gripping device including a second gripper disposed to be movable relative to the basic body. The second gripping device is configured to move the second gripper relative to the first gripper such that the second gripper grips the predetermined conductive member at the second conductive member end portion or at the first conductive member end portion.