Modular Vacuum Gripper Head for Food Product Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting devices face challenges in securely holding and transporting food products near the end section during the cutting process due to transverse forces, leading to inefficiencies and increased waste, as traditional grippers either penetrate deeply or have limited application with vacuum grippers.
Innovation Solution
A modular gripper system with a detachable suction head and integrated vacuum generating device, allowing for flexible and secure product holding without mechanical penetration, utilizing pneumatic connections for operation and easy replacement of gripper heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical grippers with claws are used to securely hold the product, then the product can be reliably gripped and transported, but the claws must penetrate deeply into the product which results in large waste and limits recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical claw penetration system with a vacuum suction system. The vacuum gripper head creates negative pressure to hold the product without mechanical penetration, thereby securing reliable gripping while eliminating deep penetration and associated waste. The vacuum force acts distributed across the product surface rather than concentrated at penetration points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic vacuum generation to create holding force. A vacuum pump or vacuum generator creates negative pressure within the gripper head chamber, and this vacuum force is transmitted through the sealing surface to hold the product. This pneumatic approach replaces mechanical claw forces with distributed atmospheric pressure differential.
2Loss of substance
If vacuum grippers are used to hold the product without penetration, then product waste is reduced, but not all products can be held with the required reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges vacuum suction with mechanical pressing elements. The gripper head combines a vacuum chamber with mechanical pressing surfaces that can apply distributed force across the product. This hybrid approach ensures products with varying surface properties can be reliably held by combining atmospheric pressure differential with mechanical contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adjustable and adaptive gripping parameters. The vacuum level can be dynamically adjusted, and mechanical pressing force can be modulated based on product characteristics. This dynamic control allows the same gripper to adapt to different product types, weights, and surface properties while maintaining reliable holding.
3Reliability
If a conveyor belt is used to ensure reliable product advancement, then the product can be transported securely, but the surface area resting on the belt must be as large as possible which conflicts with the gripper's retention requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the vacuum gripper head as an intermediary between the conveyor belt and the product. The gripper head assumes the primary retention function through vacuum suction, allowing the product to be held securely with minimal belt contact. The gripper head acts as a mediator that transfers the holding function from the belt to a dedicated end-effect gripper.
4Device complexity
If the gripper head is fixed to the gripper base, then the structure is simple and robust, but replacement and maintenance require disassembly which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gripper into a base unit and a detachable head unit. The head can be quickly removed and replaced without disassembling the entire gripper mechanism. This segmentation allows rapid changeover between different head types or replacement of worn heads, significantly reducing maintenance downtime while keeping the base structure simple and robust.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamically configurable gripper system where the head can be quickly attached or detached based on operational needs. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the system to adapt to different product types or maintenance requirements without permanent structural changes, balancing structural simplicity with operational flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular gripper system ensures reliable and gentle product handling, minimizing waste and allowing for easy maintenance and adaptation to different products, while enabling the use of standard compressed air connections in high-performance slicers.
Implementation Method 1
The gripper head (10) has at least one suction device (20) that can be subjected to negative pressure and can be brought into contact with a section (4Z), in particular an end section, of a product in order to suction it in
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutting device with a gripper for grasping a product, in particular a food product, with a gripper base (11) and with a gripper head (10) attached to the gripper base (11), wherein the gripper head (10) comprises at least one suction device (20) that can be subjected to negative pressure and which can be brought into contact with a section, in particular an end section, of the product in order to suction it up, wherein the gripper head (10) is detachably attached to the gripper base (11).