Mechanical Grasping End Effector With Linear Manual Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exoskeleton suits and robotic end effectors often require power, which may not be available in all environments, and are cumbersome, limiting their operational effectiveness in manufacturing tasks.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical device comprising a receiver, actuator, rotatable sleeve, and grasping device that operates without a power source, utilizing a recessed track and protrusions to engage and move objects, allowing for manual operation and adaptation to various components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If exoskeleton suits and robotic end effectors use power sources (electric motors, pneumatics, or hydraulics), then they can provide increased strength and endurance for manufacturing operations, but they become heavy and cumbersome, and require power availability which may not be present in all environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power source (electric motors, pneumatics, or hydraulics) from the exoskeleton suit and robotic end effector system. The mechanical device operates without any power source, extracting the heavy power transmission components while retaining the grasping functionality through pure mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical device is designed to be manually operated by the user without requiring external power sources. The user directly manipulates the actuator through manual force, and the mechanical linkage system converts this manual input into the desired grasping motion, making the system self-sufficient in environments without electrical power.
2Productivity
If exoskeleton suits and robotic end effectors use power sources, then they can perform manufacturing operations with increased capability, but power from a battery may be dissipated before completion of the manufacturing task
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the battery and all power storage mechanisms from the system. By removing the power source entirely, the system avoids the limitation of finite battery duration and can operate continuously as long as the user provides manual input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system does not rely on stored energy (battery) but instead requires continuous manual input from the user. This self-service approach ensures that the device can operate indefinitely without power depletion, adapting to the user's operational needs without the constraint of battery life.
3Weight of moving object
If a mechanical device operates without a power source using manual operation, then it becomes lightweight and efficient, but it requires manual dexterity and adaptation to various components
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical device is divided into modular components (receiver, actuator, rotatable sleeve, pilot, grasping device) that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the user to interact with specific parts of the system to achieve the desired grasping motion, making the manual operation more manageable despite the absence of power assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates movable and adjustable components (rotatable sleeve with protrusions, slidable actuator, interchangeable pilots) that dynamically adapt to different grasping tasks. This dynamic design allows the same lightweight device to handle various components and grasping requirements through manual adjustment of its mechanical configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical device for grasping an object includes a receiver having a distal end shaft with an internal bore, the internal bore defining a recessed track. The recessed track defines a curvilinear path having two sets of resting peaks, each set of resting peaks being at a different height relative to a centerline of the curvilinear path. An actuator is slidably engaged with the receiver and includes a central shaft and an activator disposed at a distal end portion of the central shaft. A rotatable sleeve is disposed within the internal bore of the receiver and is coupled to the actuator. The rotatable sleeve has opposed protrusions, the opposed protrusions being disposed within the recessed track of the receiver. A pilot is secured to a distal end portion of the receiver and a grasping device is mounted to the pilot and coupled to the activator.