Handling Device Vacuum Control for Panel Workpiece Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handling devices for lifting panel-shaped workpieces, especially those made of wood or plastic, face issues with adhesion between stacked pieces, leading to delays and damage during transport, as they often lift multiple workpieces instead of one and are not adaptable to different materials and geometries.
Innovation Solution
A handling device equipped with a suction cup, vacuum source, pressure gauge, and control circuit that regulates vacuum output based on measured pressure and lifting force, minimizing the necessary vacuum to prevent adhesion and allowing flexible handling of various materials, including the use of a stepper motor for quasi-stepless movement and wave-like suction cup activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a strong vacuum is applied to lift the workpiece, then the lifting force is sufficient, but multiple workpieces stick together and are lifted unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum level is dynamically adjusted during the lifting process. The system starts with a strong vacuum to ensure reliable lifting, then transitions to a reduced vacuum level after lifting is confirmed, preventing excessive adhesion that would cause multiple workpieces to stick together
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum application is divided into distinct phases: an initial strong vacuum phase for reliable lifting, followed by a reduced vacuum phase for transport. This periodic variation in vacuum intensity solves the contradiction between needing strong lifting force and avoiding excessive adhesion
2Speed
If a high volume flow is used to generate vacuum for permeable materials, then the vacuum is generated quickly, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The volume flow is dynamically adjusted based on the lifting phase. During the initial vacuum generation phase, high volume flow is used to quickly achieve the required vacuum level for permeable materials. Once vacuum is established, the volume flow is reduced to maintain the vacuum with minimal energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary vacuum generation at high power to quickly establish the necessary vacuum condition, then transitions to a maintenance phase with reduced power consumption. This preliminary high-energy action solves the time-critical vacuum generation while minimizing overall energy use
3Reliability
If the vacuum output is increased to ensure reliable lifting, then lifting reliability improves, but the risk of damaging workpieces during transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum output is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase. A high vacuum output is applied only during the brief lifting moment to ensure reliability, then automatically reduced to a minimal level sufficient for transport, eliminating the continuous high-vacuum condition that would cause damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic vacuum application with distinct high-vacuum and low-vacuum phases. The high vacuum occurs only when needed for reliable lifting, followed by a low-vacuum transport phase, thus achieving reliable lifting without the continuous high stress that would damage workpieces
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
The device optimizes energy use, reduces adhesion, and ensures safe transport of workpieces by generating only the minimal vacuum required, allowing for flexible handling and preventing unintended lifting of multiple pieces, thus minimizing delays and damage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vacuum source (14) that generates a vacuum in the suction cup (15) for sucking in the workpiece by providing a vacuum output
Implementation Method 2
measuring the vacuum in the suction cup and regulating the vacuum output as a function of the vacuum in the suction cup
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a handling device (10) for lifting a plate-shaped workpiece (12.1), which preferably consists at least partially of wood, wood-based materials, or plastic. It comprises at least one suction cup (15) configured for suctioning and lifting the workpiece (12.1), at least one vacuum source (14) that generates a vacuum in the suction cup (15) for suctioning the workpiece (12.1) by providing a vacuum output, and at least one pressure gauge (16) for measuring the vacuum in the suction cup (15). The device is characterized in that it further comprises a control loop (18) configured to regulate the vacuum output as a function of the vacuum in the suction cup (15) such that at least a minimum vacuum sufficient to lift the workpiece (12.1) is generated in the suction cup (15).The application also relates to a corresponding method for lifting a plate-shaped workpiece (12.1).