Pallet Gripper Docking Unit for Drive-Media-Free Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet change systems are limited to machine tools that provide a drive medium like compressed air or hydraulic oil for clamping, preventing their use in tools without these resources.
Innovation Solution
A pallet gripper with a integrated docking unit that supplies the necessary drive medium, such as compressed air or hydraulic oil, to a clamping system, allowing pallet changes in machine tools without built-in drive media, using a robot flange for mounting and a movement unit for docking and undocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the machine tool provides the drive medium for the clamping system, then the clamping system can be actuated, but the pallet change system cannot be used with machine tools that do not provide a drive medium
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet gripper acts as an intermediary device between the robot and the clamping system. It carries its own drive medium supply through the docking unit, mediating the connection to the clamping system without requiring the machine tool to provide the drive medium. This allows the system to work with machine tools that lack built-in drive medium supply capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet gripper is designed with multi-functionality: it not only grips and transports the pallet but also serves as a mobile drive medium supply unit through the integrated docking unit. This universal design allows it to interface with both machine tools that have built-in drive medium supply and those that do not, enhancing adaptability across different machine tool configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drive medium is supplied via the pallet gripper, then machine tools without built-in drive medium supply can be used, but the docking unit requires movement and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The docking unit is designed as a separate, movable component that can be distinguished from the main pallet gripper body. This segmentation allows the docking unit to be independently positioned and locked onto the clamping system, simplifying the overall structure by separating the drive medium supply function from the gripping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking unit incorporates dynamic elements including movement capability along the vertical axis and a locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic design allows the docking unit to adapt its position and connection state based on operational requirements, enabling it to interface with the clamping system when needed while remaining flexible for different configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a pallet gripper (1) for gripping a pallet (3) with a support (4) (e.g., a machine vice) and for placing the pallet (3) onto a clamping system (6, 7) that is actuated by a drive medium (e.g., compressed air, hydraulic oil). The pallet gripper (1) has a robot flange (2) for mounting the pallet gripper (1) on a robot, which moves the pallet gripper (1) with the pallet (3) and places it onto the clamping system (6, 7). Furthermore, the pallet gripper (1) includes a gripping device (19, 20) attached to the robot flange (2) for gripping the pallet (3). The pallet gripper (1) according to the invention is characterized by an integrated docking unit that serves to dock onto the clamping system (6, 7) in order to supply the clamping system (6, 7) with the drive medium required for clamping when docked. Furthermore, the invention includes an associated operating method.