Modular Gripper with Adjustable Radial and Parallel Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Specialized grippers are often limited to a single gripping task, requiring frequent changes and multiple systems for assembly tasks, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular gripping device with adjustable gripping units around a central axis, allowing for angular and radial alignment of gripping elements, enabling quick switching between linear and three-dimensional gripping modes without reassembly, and equipped with adjustable and non-adjustable units to minimize cost and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized grippers are used for different gripping tasks, then the ability to grip various objects is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper device incorporates multiple gripping units (at least three) arranged around a gripping center, each capable of independent adjustment between radial alignment and parallel offset alignment. This universal design allows a single gripper to perform both linear gripping (for flat objects) and three-dimensional gripping (for voluminous objects), eliminating the need for multiple specialized grippers and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping units are equipped with adjustment drive devices that enable dynamic reconfiguration of the working planes between radial and parallel offset orientations. This dynamic adaptability allows the gripper to switch between different gripping modes during operation, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed specialized grippers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gripper changing systems are used for assembly tasks, then the ability to handle different objects is improved, but the loss of time for changing grippers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper device integrates multiple gripping units with adjustable configurations into a single universal gripper, eliminating the need for gripper changing systems. The ability to switch between linear and three-dimensional gripping modes within the same device removes the time-consuming process of detaching and attaching different specialized grippers for different objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment drive devices enable rapid reconfiguration of the gripping units between radial and parallel offset alignments, allowing the gripper to adapt to different objects and gripping tasks quickly without physical changing operations, thereby minimizing time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all gripping units are made adjustable, then the adaptability is improved, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper device employs a mixed configuration where at least two gripping units are equipped with adjustment drive devices for radial/parallel offset alignment, while at least one gripping unit is fixed in its radial position. This local quality approach provides sufficient adaptability for both linear and three-dimensional gripping while minimizing the overall weight and cost by limiting adjustment mechanisms to only the necessary units.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (11) has three gripping units (17a-17c) that are moved by a working movement between a release position and an object cross-gripping position. The gripping units are grouped to a gripping center such that three work planes (46a-46c) of gripping elements (22a-22c) are provided angularly and radially with respect to gripping center or offset in parallel to each other. An adjustable drive device is associated with adjusting drive to move work planes by an actuator by displacement between radial direction and parallel to each other staggered orientation.