Linear Pneumatic Gripper Oscillation Pin Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear pneumatic grippers are prone to defects due to dimension errors and coupling tolerances in bolted assemblies, affecting the precision and parallelism of jaw movement.

Innovation Solution

A linear pneumatic gripper design with a reduced number of components, where oscillation pins serve both to drive the jaws and securely connect the gripper body components without the need for bolts, using a base element with transverse pins and a guide head with a preset preload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional bolted assembly is used to connect gripper components, then assembly flexibility and ease of manufacture are improved, but manufacturing precision and movement parallelism deteriorate due to dimension errors and coupling tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidjaw movement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillation pin serves dual functions: it acts as both the drive lever fulcrum and the connection element between the head and base element, eliminating the need for separate bolts and reducing the number of components while maintaining assembly flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillation pin is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it is the fulcrum for the drive lever, the connection element between head and base, and provides positioning through its transverse orientation, thereby reducing cumulative tolerance errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used in gripper assembly, then ease of repair and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates due to cumulative tolerance errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent modularityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head and base element are connected directly through the oscillation pin without requiring separate bolts or fasteners, reducing the total component count while maintaining the modular structure for ease of repair and adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If traditional bolted connections are used, then assembly ease is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential defects from dimension errors and coupling tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidgripper function reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillation pin integrates the fulcrum and connection functions into a single element, eliminating the interface between separate bolts and components, thereby reducing potential defect points and improving reliability while maintaining assembly ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bolted connection elements are completely removed from the design, extracting the source of potential defects related to bolt holes, thread engagement, and fastener reliability, while the oscillation pin provides a more robust connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7976087B2Linear pneumatic gripper

Publication Date: 2011.07.12 GIMATIC SRL

AI summary

The invention concerns a linear pneumatic gripper that has a gripper body comprising a base element (11), in which a chamber (18) has been provided for a piston (12) and which supports two drive levers (13) oscillating on relative fulcrums or pins (24) and connected to the piston, and a guide head (14) associated with the base element and having a guide groove for two jaws connected to the drive levers. The guide head is fixed to the base element of the gripper body by the oscillation fulcrums or pins (24) of the drive levers.