Plastic Receptacle for Permanent Magnet in Clamp Gripper
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing clamp gripper systems face challenges in attaching permanent magnets to gripper arms without causing thermal damage, which can lead to loss of magnetic properties during the welding process.
Innovation Solution
The use of a plastic receptacle for the permanent magnet, which can be attached without welding, utilizing ultrasonic welding that generates minimal heat and allows for various connection methods such as integration with a bearing bush, fastening rivet, or anchoring parts, ensuring the magnet's functionality is preserved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If permanent magnets are attached to gripper arms using traditional welding methods, then strong attachment is achieved, but the permanent magnets heat up and lose their magnetic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plastic receptacle as an intermediary component between the permanent magnet and the gripper arm. This receptacle serves as a mediator that allows mechanical attachment through ultrasonic welding of the plastic material itself, rather than welding the permanent magnet directly. The plastic receptacle absorbs the thermal energy of ultrasonic welding without damaging the permanent magnet, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving strong attachment and preserving magnetic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional thermal welding methods (which directly contact and heat the permanent magnet) with ultrasonic welding of the plastic receptacle. This substitution uses mechanical vibration energy transmitted through the plastic material to create a strong bond without subjecting the permanent magnet to harmful thermal conditions, thereby maintaining magnetic property retention while achieving attachment strength.
2Reliability
If permanent magnets are attached using welding processes, then secure attachment is achieved, but complex welding procedures are required to prevent magnet damage
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic receptacle acts as a simplified intermediary that eliminates the need for complex welding procedures. Instead of requiring careful control of welding parameters to prevent magnet damage, the design allows standard ultrasonic welding of the plastic receptacle itself, which is inherently safer for the permanent magnet and simplifies the overall attachment process while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the attachment system from metal (requiring traditional welding) to plastic (enabling ultrasonic welding). This parameter change allows the use of simpler, more controlled welding parameters that do not risk damaging the permanent magnet, thereby reducing process complexity while ensuring attachment security.
3Strength
If the receptacle is made of metal for structural strength, then attachment strength is improved, but thermal damage to the permanent magnet occurs during welding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material solution where the receptacle is made of plastic material that combines sufficient structural strength with thermal protection properties. The plastic receptacle serves dual functions: providing mechanical strength for secure attachment to the gripper arm and simultaneously protecting the permanent magnet from thermal damage during ultrasonic welding, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and thermal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic receptacle can be designed as a sacrificial or replaceable component that absorbs the thermal stress of welding. Rather than risking damage to the expensive permanent magnet, the receptacle serves as a protective barrier that can be replaced if needed, while the permanent magnet remains intact and reusable, effectively managing the thermal damage risk.
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
This solution allows for a secure and efficient attachment of permanent magnets, preventing thermal damage and enabling faster operation and stronger gripping capabilities while maintaining the magnetic properties of the magnets.
Implementation Method 1
The receptacle consists of an ultrasonically weldable material, since ultrasound can be used with plastic for a wide variety of forming processes and ultrasonic welding generates only a small amount of heat, which could damage the permanent magnet
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamp gripper for a vessel transporting system, in particular for a bottle transporting system, is described. The clamp gripper comprises two gripper arms, which are pivotable about one or two axes between a gripping position and a releasing position and can be acted upon in the direction of the gripping position or in the direction of the releasing position by an energy accumulator, which comprises at least one permanent magnet secured in a receptacle. To improve the securing of the permanent magnet while preserving its magnetic properties, it is proposed that the receptacle consists of a plastic, at least in a securing region.