Modular Vacuum Gripper Valve Assembly for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum gripping devices are complex to assemble and maintain, with poor accessibility for maintenance purposes, which affects their reliability and efficiency in quickly picking up and securely holding objects.
Innovation Solution
A modular vacuum gripping device with a flat contact surface and a valve assembly featuring a sleeve for the valve body, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance, where the valve body can move freely within the vacuum chamber to control suction openings, ensuring sensitive response and strong holding power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vacuum gripping devices use integrated valve housings with air ducts running therein, then the gripping function is achieved, but the assembly and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve housing is divided into modular components: a base body with suction openings, separate valve units with air ducts, and individual valve elements. Each valve unit can be independently assembled, inspected, and maintained, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve elements are extracted as separate, removable components from the valve housing. Each valve unit can be taken out individually for maintenance or replacement without affecting other valves or the overall housing structure, significantly simplifying maintenance procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vacuum gripping devices use complex valve housings with multiple air ducts, then multiple suction openings can be controlled, but the accessibility for maintenance purposes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each suction opening has its own dedicated valve unit that can be accessed and maintained independently. The modular design allows maintenance personnel to reach and service individual valves without disassembling the entire housing, improving accessibility while maintaining multiple suction control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve units are designed with standardized, interchangeable components that can be serviced using the same procedures and tools regardless of which specific valve is being maintained. This universal design approach simplifies the maintenance process across all suction openings.
3Device complexity
If the valve body is fixed in position within the vacuum chamber, then the structure is simpler, but the sensitivity to detect object contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to move dynamically in response to pressure changes caused by object contact. This mobility allows the valve to automatically detect and respond to the presence of objects, providing sensitive contact detection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body uses the pressure differential created by object contact to automatically actuate itself, opening or closing the air duct without requiring external actuators or complex control mechanisms. This self-actuating design maintains structural simplicity while achieving high sensitivity.
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 device enables quick object pickup and reliable fixation, maintaining negative pressure and preventing unintended suction of foreign particles, with improved serviceability and cost-effectiveness due to its modular design.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum between the suction plate and the top of the object to be picked up
Implementation Method 2
a valve body with a flow orifice arranged movably within a vacuum chamber
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
The vacuum gripping device (8) has a contact surface (14) for holding objects (16), where the contact surface has a suction opening, which stays in connection with an air duct (22) and a valve (10). The valve has a valve body (26), which is movably arranged within a vacuum chamber (24) located in the air duct. The valve has a modular structure and a sleeve-shaped valve housing (12) with an integrated vacuum chamber for receiving the valve body. The valve body is detachably mounted in the area of the contact surface or a suction plate (18). An independent claim is included for an arrangement for gripping of objects.