Hand Apparatus With Adjustable Opening Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand apparatuses that hold works with different dimensions require multiple hand portions for replacement, increasing takt time and production costs due to the need for various hand portions and storage space.

Innovation Solution

A hand apparatus with a grasper and hand mechanism that adjusts its opening position using an actuator, allowing it to grasp and hold works of different dimensions without the need for multiple hand portions, by interlocking the grasper's movement with an operating portion to vary the opening position of the hand portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hand portions are prepared for replacement to hold works of different dimensions, then the hand apparatus can handle various work sizes, but the takt time increases and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold works of different dimensionsVSAvoidtakt time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hand apparatus employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the hand mechanism portion can vary the opening position of the pair of hand portions. This allows a single hand portion to adapt to different work dimensions by dynamically changing its configuration, eliminating the need for multiple static hand portions and the time-consuming replacement operations between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hand apparatus is designed with universal functionality through the hand mechanism portion that can adjust the opening position of hand portions. This single multi-functional hand portion can hold works of various dimensions by varying its opening position, replacing the need for multiple specialized hand portions and reducing both time loss and production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hand portions are prepared for replacement to hold works of different dimensions, then the hand apparatus can handle various work sizes, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold works of different dimensionsVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hand apparatus is designed with universal functionality through the hand mechanism portion that can adjust the opening position of hand portions. This single multi-functional hand portion can hold works of various dimensions by varying its opening position, replacing the need for multiple specialized hand portions and reducing both time loss and production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple hand portions into a single hand mechanism portion with adjustable opening positions. By combining what would have been separate components into one integrated system with variable configuration, the apparatus reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and maintained, thereby lowering production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hand portions are prepared for replacement to hold works of different dimensions, then the hand apparatus can handle various work sizes, but storage space is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold works of different dimensionsVSAvoidstorage space for hand portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hand apparatus is designed with universal functionality through the hand mechanism portion that can adjust the opening position of hand portions. This single multi-functional hand portion can hold works of various dimensions by varying its opening position, replacing the need for multiple specialized hand portions and reducing both time loss and production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hand apparatus employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the hand mechanism portion can vary the opening position of the pair of hand portions. This allows a single hand portion to adapt to different work dimensions by dynamically changing its configuration, eliminating the need for multiple static hand portions and the time-consuming replacement operations between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11285620B2Hand apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 FANUC LTD

AI summary

The hand apparatus includes: a grasper that grasps a work; a grasper driving portion that causes the grasper to operate at a first position at which the grasper grasps the work, a second position at which the grasper is open widest, and a third position between the first position and the second position; a hand mechanism portion having a pair of hand portions that holds both ends in a width direction of the work grasped by the grasper and capable of varying an opening position of the pair of hand portions; an operating portion provided so as to be interlocked with an operation of the grasper and being connectable to the hand mechanism portion; and an actuator that causes the grasper to advance and retract, wherein when the grasper is at the second position, the hand mechanism portion is connected to the operating portion to vary the opening position of the pair of hand portions by being interlocked with the advancing and retracting movement of the grasper according to the actuator, and when the grasper is at the first position or the third position, the hand mechanism portion is disconnected from the operating portion to fix the opening position of the pair of hand portions.