Modular Gripper with Interchangeable Transport Attachments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grippers for picking devices struggle to safely move small piece goods of different shapes and surface properties, often causing damage or being unable to handle items like standing bottles.

Innovation Solution

A gripper system with a pair of opposing gripping jaws, a gripper coupler, and a transport attachment with different contact surfaces, allowing for adjustable interaction between the gripper and transport attachments to accommodate various small piece goods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gripper with two gripping jaws is used to move small piece goods, then the gripper can handle a variety of items, but it cannot safely move items with different shapes and surface properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different small piece goodsVSAvoidsafe movement of small piece goods

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping system is divided into separate functional components: a base gripper unit and interchangeable transport attachments. Each attachment is specifically designed for particular item types (e.g., smooth-surfaced items, standing bottles), allowing the system to segment its gripping approach according to item characteristics rather than using a universal gripping method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripper system achieves multi-functionality through a modular design where a single base unit can accommodate multiple specialized transport attachments. This allows one gripper to perform the functions of multiple specialized grippers, handling diverse items including smooth-surfaced goods and standing bottles with appropriate attachments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If gripping jaws are moved together to clamp small piece goods, then the gripper can secure the items, but it causes damage to items with smooth surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure gripping of small piece goodsVSAvoiddamage to smooth-surfaced items

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different transport attachments provide locally optimized gripping surfaces tailored to specific item types. Attachments for smooth-surfaced items feature specialized contact surfaces that distribute gripping forces appropriately, while other attachments are designed for different item characteristics, ensuring each item type receives the appropriate local gripping quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the gripping parameters (contact surface area, pressure distribution, friction characteristics) by selecting different transport attachments. This allows the gripping force to be adjusted in terms of its physical parameters to match the requirements of different item surfaces, preventing damage while maintaining secure gripping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed gripper design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot handle challenging items like standing bottles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper structureVSAvoidhandling of challenging items

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper system transitions from a static, fixed design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Transport attachments can be exchanged based on the item being handled, allowing the system to adapt its configuration in real-time. This dynamic capability enables handling of challenging items like standing bottles while maintaining relative structural simplicity through modular components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250162819A1Gripper and transport system for a picking device

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

Grippers are provided that include a pair of opposing gripping jaws, a gripper coupler disposed on one of the pair of gripping jaws and a transport attachment releasably coupled to the gripper coupler by an attachment coupler. Transport systems and methods of operating a gripper are also provided.