Lip Seal Gripper for Disk Clamp Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grippers used in disk drive manufacturing are ineffective for smaller disk clamps, leading to assembly challenges, increased manufacturing time, and contamination due to metal-to-metal contacts, and are difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A gripper system comprising a disk gripper housing and a lip seal gripper with vacuum suction and flexible materials, providing secure gripping and minimal metal-to-metal contact, with a spring-loaded spanner pin system for precise XYZ coordinate control and contamination reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple metal cups are used to grasp the disk clamp, then the gripper can lift and move the disk clamp, but metal-to-metal contact occurs causing contamination and the gripper becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible lip seal as an intermediary between the metal gripper and the disk clamp. The lip seal makes contact with the disk clamp surface, allowing the metal gripper to hold the disk clamp without direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining gripping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible lip seal that can deform to conform to the disk clamp surface. This flexible element provides a clean interface between the metal gripper and the disk clamp, enabling secure holding without metal-to-metal contact and reducing contamination during the gripping operation
2Ease of operation
If multiple displaced cups are used in the gripper, then the gripper can grasp the disk clamp, but the gripper becomes complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gripping function and the sealing function into a single integrated lip seal component. Instead of using multiple separate metal cups for gripping, the lip seal combines the holding capability with the contamination prevention in one element, simplifying the overall gripper structure
Solution Approach 2:
The lip seal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the gripping interface, prevents metal-to-metal contact, and acts as a seal. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing complexity and maintenance needs
3Device complexity
If conventional grippers are used for small disk clamps, then the gripper can be simple in structure, but the gripper becomes ineffective for picking up and moving the small disk clamp
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible lip seal can deform to match the contours of small disk clamps, providing effective gripping contact even on reduced-size components. This flexibility allows the gripper to adapt to varying disk clamp sizes while maintaining reliable holding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The lip seal changes its physical parameters (flexibility, conformability) to effectively grip small disk clamps. By using a flexible material that can adapt its shape, the gripper maintains effectiveness across different disk clamp sizes without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms
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 gripper system effectively secures disk clamps for assembly with reduced contamination and improved handling, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing errors and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum suction channel (140) is provided that extends from the upper portion (132) through to the lower portion (124) of the disk gripper housing (120) to provide vacuum suction to the disk clamp (110)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a gripper for use with a disk clamp end effecter in a disk drive manufacturing process used for mounting a disk clamp to a disk in the manufacturing of a disk drive. The gripper comprises: a disk gripper housing, a lip seal gripper mounted to the disk gripper housing, and a vacuum channel. The lip seal gripper includes an upper portion that fits into the disk gripper housing and a lower portion that has a surface. The surface is configured to extend around the disk clamp to press against the disk clamp. The vacuum channel extends from the upper portion of the lip seal gripper to the lower portion of the lip seal gripper to provide a vacuum to the lip seal gripper such that the surface of the lip seal gripper is gripped by the vacuum to the surface of the disk clamp around the disk clamp.