Modular Gripper Base for Tool-Free Task Reconfiguration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grippers lack a reliable and cost-effective design that can be flexibly configured for various gripping tasks while allowing easy and tool-free attachment and detachment of functional components.
Innovation Solution
A gripper with a base body, drive motor, and adjustable gripper fingers, featuring inward-facing fastening pockets for manual attachment of functional components, such as sensors, input devices, and gripper fingers, using locking, clamping, or articulated connections, allowing easy reconfiguration and attachment without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If functional components are permanently integrated into the gripper base body, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is divided into modular functional components (gripper fingers, sensors, drive mechanisms) that can be independently attached and detached from the base body through fastening pockets, allowing structural stability during operation while enabling adaptability for different gripping tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The base body is designed with multiple standardized fastening pockets that can accommodate various types of functional components (different gripper fingers, sensors, actuators), making the same base body structure universally applicable to multiple gripping applications
2Reliability
If specialized tools are used for component attachment, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening pockets are designed with self-aligning features and intuitive locking mechanisms that guide components into proper position and secure them through simple manual insertion, eliminating the need for specialized tools while maintaining reliable connections
3Ease of manufacture
If the outer contour of the base body is changed for each functional component, then component-specific optimization is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base body maintains a consistent outer contour with standardized fastening pocket locations and dimensions, allowing different functional components to be mounted on the same base body structure without requiring custom base body designs, thereby reducing overall device complexity
4Ease of operation
If manual attachment methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but connection strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism incorporates spring-loaded locking elements that dynamically adjust to component installation tolerances, providing strong secure connections through elastic force while allowing simple manual insertion and removal of components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a gripper (1) having a gripper main part (2), a drive motor (3) arranged on the gripper main part (2), and at least one pair of gripper fingers (4.1, 4.2) mounted on the gripper main part (2), wherein least one of the gripper fingers (4.1, 4.2) is mounted on the gripper main part (2) so as to be drivingly adjustable by the drive motor (3) such that the gripper (1) can be opened and closed as a result of a driven movement of the at least one gripper finger (4.1, 4.2) by the drive motor (3), wherein the gripper main part (2) has at least one securing recess (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5) which extends inwards from the outer contour of the gripper main part (2) and is designed to receive and manually releasably secure a functional component (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) of the gripper (1) on the gripper main part (2).