Integral Spring Bar Gripper Arm Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper arms used in container processing operations face hygienic issues due to dust accumulation on components like coil springs and leaf springs, particularly in environments sensitive to contamination such as beverage bottling, leading to germ accumulation and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A gripper arm design featuring a rotatably mounted control cam with a spring bar integrated into the arm body, eliminating the need for a separate leaf spring and using a magnet with a blind hole mounting system, both made from plastic to reduce contamination and enhance hygiene, along with a tapering gripping section for secure container handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate leaf spring and coil spring components are used in the gripper arm, then the suspension function for cushioning force and deflection is achieved, but dust and impurities accumulate on the springs and their mounting means, leading to hygienic problems and increased maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension means is integrally formed as a single piece with the gripper arm body, combining what were previously separate components (leaf spring, coil spring, and mounting means) into one unified structure. This eliminates the interfaces and crevices where dust and impurities accumulated, directly resolving the hygiene problem while reducing the number of parts that require maintenance.
2Reliability
If conventional leaf spring with mounting means is used, then suspension function is provided, but surfaces and recesses are created where germs and contaminants can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension means is formed as an integral part of the gripper arm body through injection molding, eliminating separate mounting means and creating a smooth surface without recesses or interfaces where contaminants could accumulate. This maintains ease of manufacture through the injection molding process while dramatically improving hygiene.
3Reliability
If magnets are affixed by welding or screwing, then the opening means function is achieved, but welding heat weakens magnetic force and screwing attracts contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The magnets are integrally formed within the gripper arm body through injection molding, merging the opening means function directly into the arm structure. This eliminates the need for separate mounting operations (welding or screwing), preventing contamination attraction and avoiding heat that would weaken the magnets, while maintaining full magnetic strength for the opening function.
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 solution provides a more hygienic, low-maintenance gripper arm that effectively reduces contamination risks, is easier to clean, and can be economically replaced, ensuring secure and efficient handling of containers without the risk of bending or damage.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension means (16) for cushioning and equalizing the force and/or deflection exerted on the gripper arm (2) by the control cam (11), wherein the suspension means (16) comprises a spring bar (17) integrally formed in an end section (14) of the gripper arm body
Implementation Method 2
The opening means (6) in the gripper arm to move the gripping section of the gripper arm from the gripping position into the open position is a magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper arm, and a method for its manufacture, is provided for grasping, holding and guiding objects, for example, bottle-like containers. A rotatably mounted control cam may move a gripping section of the gripper arm from an open position into a gripping position. The gripper arm may have a bore hole for supporting a bearing pin for pivotably mounting the gripper arm, a seating for an opening structure for moving the gripping section of the gripper arm from the gripping position into the open position, and a suspension structure for cushioning and equalizing the force and deflection exerted on the gripper arm by the control cam. So that the gripper arm remains sufficiently free of contaminants and germs, the suspension structure may include a spring bar integrally formed in an end section of the gripper arm body.