Lifting-Piston Gripper Pressure Control for Uneven Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping apparatuses struggle with robust and flexible gripping of objects with irregular surfaces and shapes, often causing damage due to uneven surfaces and difficulty in achieving reliable sealing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gripping apparatus with a lifting piston adjustable between retracted and extended configurations, using preset and main pressures to gently place the gripper on the object, allowing for compensation of surface unevenness and ensuring reliable gripping and sealing, with features like compressed air and negative pressure systems for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lifting piston is extended by applying compressed air at high pressure, then the gripper can firmly grip the object, but the gripper may damage objects with irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lifting piston compressible rather than rigid. The piston can dynamically adjust its compression level based on the object surface conditions, allowing the system to adapt between firm gripping and gentle placement as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the lifting piston from a rigid extended state to a compressible state. By allowing the piston to compress along the lifting axis, the system can modify the contact pressure and force characteristics to prevent damage to irregular surfaces while maintaining gripping reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lifting piston is made rigid for stable positioning, then the object can be held firmly, but the gripper cannot accommodate surface unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic compressibility to the lifting piston, allowing it to transition between a rigid extended state for stable positioning and a compressed state to accommodate surface unevenness. This dynamic property enables the system to adapt to different object surfaces while maintaining position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the lifting piston's physical state to vary between compressed and extended configurations. This parameter flexibility enables the piston to adapt to surface irregularities while maintaining stable positioning when needed.
3Force
If the gripper applies high gripping force, then the object can be securely held, but sealing becomes difficult on irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lifting piston compressible, allowing it to dynamically adjust its contact pressure distribution. This enables the system to achieve both sufficient gripping force and reliable sealing on irregular surfaces by adapting the force application characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force application parameter through piston compression, allowing the system to modify the pressure distribution and contact characteristics. This parameter adjustment enables simultaneous achievement of gripping force and sealing reliability on irregular surfaces.
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 method enables gentle placement and reliable gripping of objects with irregular surfaces, reducing damage risk and ensuring precise handling by adjusting pressure levels to accommodate surface irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting piston is pressurized with compressed air at an extension pressure so that the lifting piston is extended in the extension direction
Implementation Method 2
the at least one lifting piston is subjected to a reduced pressure upon placement so that the lifting piston can at least slightly yield in the retraction direction upon placement
Implementation Method 3
If the gripper is designed as a suction gripper, the gripping can, for example, comprise suctioning the object
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for handling an object (88) by means of a gripping apparatus (10), comprising a gripper base body (12) and at least one gripping unit (14), held on the gripper base body, comprising a lifting piston (16) which is adjustable relative to the gripper base body in an extension direction (22) and in a retraction direction (24) opposite to the extension direction, wherein the lifting piston can be extended in the extension direction by applying compressed air, the method comprising applying an extension pressure to the lifting piston so that the lifting piston is extended in the extension direction, placing the gripper on the object to be gripped, and gripping the object with the gripper, wherein the lifting piston is subjected to a preset pressure upon placement of the gripper and is subjected to a main pressure after placement, in particular after gripping, wherein the preset pressure is lower than the main pressure. The invention also relates to a handling apparatus for carrying out such a method.