Particle-Filled Flexible Gripper for Irregular Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grabbing devices with rigid fingers can damage objects and lack the necessary force to grasp irregularly shaped objects, while flexible fingers provide insufficient grasping force and struggle with irregular shapes.
Innovation Solution
A grabbing device with a flexible grabbing member and hollow cavity filled with particles that change from a flexible to a rigid state, allowing it to conform to object shapes and provide enhanced gripping force through shape constraint and particle compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid fingers are used for grabbing, then grasping force is improved, but object surface damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses particles that can change their physical state between flexible and rigid. When the grabbing member is inflated, particles remain flexible to conform to the object shape. When deflated, particles are pressed into a rigid state to provide strong grasping force, thus achieving both object protection and strong grip through parameter change of the particles
Solution Approach 2:
The grabbing member combines flexible material (for conforming to object shapes) with particles (for providing grasping force). This composite structure allows the flexible material to protect the object surface while the particles provide the necessary grasping force, resolving the contradiction between force and surface damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible fingers are used for grabbing, then object surface damage is avoided, but grasping force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The particles within the grabbing member change their physical state based on inflation/deflation. During inflation, particles remain flexible to avoid object damage. During deflation, particles transition to a rigid state to provide strong grasping force, thus achieving both surface protection and adequate force
3Adaptability or versatility
If rigid or flexible fingers are used, then regular-shaped objects can be grabbed, but irregular-shaped objects are difficult to grab
Solution Approach 1:
The grabbing member uses a flexible material that can be inflated to expand and conform to various object shapes including irregular ones. This flexibility allows the grabbing member to adapt to different geometries while maintaining reliable grasping through the particles inside
Solution Approach 2:
The particles change from flexible to rigid state when the grabbing member is deflated, providing strong grasping force. This parameter change allows the system to first conform to irregular shapes (when inflated) and then securely grip them (when deflated), achieving both adaptability and reliability
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 effectively grips both regular and irregular objects by conforming to their shapes and increasing gripping force through particle compression, ensuring a secure hold on variously shaped items.
Implementation Method 1
the particles have a flexible state and a rigid state, and the particles maintain the flexible state when the grabbing member is inflated, and the particles are pressed to the rigid state when deflating gas
Implementation Method 2
a filter layer provided between the hollow cavity and the gas pipeline... the filter layer is used for preventing the particles from entering the gas pipeline
Implementation Method 3
the grabbing member is made of a flexible material, for being bulge when being inflated, and being recessed according to a shape of a surface of the object after the grabbing member contacts the object
Data Source
AI summary
A grabbing device, comprising a connection base, a gas pipeline provided in the connection base, a grabbing member having a hollow cavity and connected to the connection base, a filter layer provided between the hollow cavity and the gas pipeline, and particles filled in the hollow cavity. The gas pipeline is in communication with the hollow cavity by the filter layer for preventing the particles from entering the gas pipeline. The grabbing member is made of a flexible material, permitting the grabbing member to bulge when being inflated, and being recessed according to a shape of a surface of the object after the grabbing member contacts the object. The particles maintain the flexible state when the grabbing member is inflated, and the particles are pressed to the rigid state when withdrawing gas to deflate the grabbing member into a recessed position. The grabbing device can maintain a grip on objects having an irregular shape.