Locking Gripper Head for Electrical Component Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper heads lack precision in positioning electrical components, leading to potential bending of contacts during insertion due to insufficient control over transverse, longitudinal, and rotational movement, especially when clearance is tight.
Innovation Solution
A gripper head with a base, first and second actuators, gripper jaws, and a securing plate, where the gripper jaws and securing plate move between positions to securely engage the electrical component, preventing movement transverse, longitudinal, and rotational displacement relative to the gripper head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If known gripper heads are used to lift and place electrical components, then basic positioning is achieved, but precision positioning is insufficient leading to contact bending or insertion failure
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism is divided into three independent gripping elements: first gripper arms for transverse positioning, a securing plate for longitudinal positioning, and a securing projection for rotational positioning. Each element is controlled by a separate actuator, allowing independent and precise control of each degree of freedom to achieve accurate component placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements are designed to be dynamically controllable through separate actuators, enabling precise adjustment of each gripping element's position and engagement force. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different component sizes and achieve precise positioning required for reliable insertion.
2Ease of operation
If gripper jaws are used to hold electrical components, then basic gripping is achieved, but control over rotational movement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is segmented into multiple independent elements, with the securing plate and securing projection specifically dedicated to controlling rotational movement. This segmentation allows the system to maintain easy gripping operation while adding precise rotational positioning capability through the dedicated securing projection that engages with the component's opening.
3Device complexity
If simple gripper jaws are used, then device complexity is low, but control over multiple movement directions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper structure is segmented into three independently controlled elements (first gripper arms, securing plate, securing projection), each responsible for controlling a specific degree of freedom. This segmentation enables precise multi-directional positioning while keeping each individual element relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism achieves multi-functionality by combining transverse gripping, longitudinal securing, and rotational locking in a single integrated system. The securing plate serves multiple functions by providing both a gripping surface and a mounting point for the securing projection, enabling control over multiple movement directions.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper head and method for use to pick up and securely hold an electrical component. Gripper arms move between a gripper jaw first position in which the gripper arms are spaced from the electrical component and a gripper jaw second position in which the gripper arms engage the electrical component to prevent the electrical component from moving in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the gripper head. A securing plate moves between a securing plate first position in which the securing plate is spaced from the electrical component and a securing plate second position in which the securing plate and the securing projection engage the electrical component to prevent the electrical component from moving in a direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the gripper head and rotationally about the longitudinal axis.