One-Piece Robotic End Effector Frame for Mold Part Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic end effector tools require extensive on-site adjustments, leading to misalignment, damage to finished parts, and spatial constraints due to multiple components and adjustable gripper mounts, resulting in inefficient and damaging part removal from molds.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece, non-adjustable frame with predetermined gripper mount locations and a combination of stationary, slide, and four-point grippers, which are fixed in position to minimize stress on the part and optimize grip surface area, reducing the need for trial and error adjustments and minimizing part damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multiple piece frame with adjustable mounts is used, then the tool can be customized and adjusted to determine gripper locations, but it takes several days to adjust and customize the tool and requires extensive on-site adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the gripper mount locations during the manufacturing process rather than allowing post-manufacturing adjustments. The tool is designed with fixed mounting positions that are determined before delivery, eliminating the need for extensive on-site adjustment time while maintaining customization capability through the pre-selected location options.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a multiple piece frame with adjustment points is used, then the tool can be adjusted to fit different parts, but adjustments and tool design are carried out in the field using actual finished parts, leading to misalignment and loosening of adjustment points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates field adjustments by pre-determining and fixing the gripper mount locations during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration ensures proper alignment is established before the tool reaches the customer, preventing misalignment and loosening issues that occur with field adjustments. The fixed mounting positions maintain consistent alignment throughout the tool's operational life.
3Ease of operation
If conventional gripper design with actuators is used, then the grippers can open and close to grip parts, but the actuators have housings that take up space on the tool frame, resulting in minimum spacing between grippers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the gripper actuation mechanism from the main tool frame structure. The actuators are mounted on extension walls that protrude from the frame, allowing the gripper fingers to be positioned close together on the frame surface while the actuator housings are located on the extension walls, eliminating the minimum spacing constraint.
4Loss of time
If a one piece frame with predetermined mount locations is used, then the tool requires little or no on-site trial and error adjustment, but the frame is solid and non-adjustable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing preliminary action through pre-configured mounting locations that are fixed during manufacturing. The one-piece frame with predetermined mount locations eliminates the need for on-site adjustments, providing both time efficiency and sufficient adaptability through the pre-selected location options that were determined during the design phase.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to tool arrangement having a one piece frame. The one piece frame that is solid and non-adjustable and includes a back side, front side and one or more extension walls extending away from the front side of the one piece frame. An attachment portion is located on said back side of the one piece frame for connecting the tool arrangement to a robotic arm. The one piece frame has at least three mounting locations formed at predetermine locations on said one piece frame. The at least three mounting locations are predetermined and non-adjustable locations on the one piece frame. The tool arrangement includes a stationary gripper connected to one of the three mounting locations and at least one four point gripper connected to another one of the three mounting locations.