Pneumatic Claw Controlling Apparatus with Multi-Pressure Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional claw cranes face challenges in efficiently retrieving heavy prizes due to inadequate force from small solenoids and excessive energy consumption and heat issues with large solenoids, while using working gas or air results in undesirable losses.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic claw-controlling apparatus with a high-pressure, medium-pressure, and low-pressure channel system, controlled by an electrical controller, allows for adjustable air pressure to the claw, enabling selective force application for prize retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a small solenoid is used to open and close the claw, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the force provided to fetch heavy prizes is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air channels (high-pressure, medium-pressure, and low-pressure channels) to drive the claw closing mechanism. This replaces the traditional solenoid with a pneumatic system that can generate sufficient force for heavy prizes while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular pressure channel design.
2Force
If a large solenoid is used to provide adequate force for heavy prizes, then the force is sufficient, but the weight, energy consumption, and heat generation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system uses compressed air stored in a tank to provide the necessary force, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power to large solenoids. The high-pressure, medium-pressure, and low-pressure channels allow efficient energy utilization by selecting appropriate pressure levels for different prize weights, significantly reducing energy consumption and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the working air to optimize performance. By having high-pressure, medium-pressure, and low-pressure channels, the system can adjust the air pressure parameter according to the prize weight, achieving adequate force with minimal energy consumption and avoiding excessive heat generation.
3Force
If working gas or air is used to open and close the claw, then the force is adequate for heavy prizes, but there is undesirable loss of money due to gas consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by creating different pressure zones (high-pressure, medium-pressure, low-pressure channels) within the pneumatic system. This allows the claw to receive precisely the right amount of pressure needed for each situation, optimizing force application while minimizing wasted compressed air and reducing operational costs.
4Force
If a large solenoid is used to provide adequate force, then the force is sufficient, but the heat generated could damage the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system replaces the electrical solenoid with a mechanical pneumatic actuator driven by compressed air. This eliminates the electromagnetic coil that generates excessive heat, thereby protecting the circuit board from thermal damage while still providing adequate force for heavy prizes through the high-pressure air channels.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective retrieval of prizes by allowing adjustable force application, reducing energy consumption and minimizing damage risks, while providing a balanced solution for various prize weights.
Implementation Method 1
The pneumatic claw 10 is closed when it receives working gas or air
Implementation Method 2
The high-pressure channel 30 is operable to adjust the working gas to a high pressure; The medium-pressure channel 40 is operable to adjust the working gas to a medium pressure; The low-pressure channel 50 is operable to adjust the working gas to a low pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic claw-controlling apparatus includes a claw, an air supply, a high-pressure channel, a medium-pressure channel and a low-pressure channel. The claw is normally in an opened position and movable to a closed position by working air. The air supply releases the working gas according to an air-supply signal. The high-pressure channel is operable to adjust the working gas to a high pressure and communicate the air supply with the claw according to a high-pressure signal. The medium-pressure channel is operable to adjust the working gas to a medium pressure and communicate the air supply with the claw according to a medium-pressure signal. The low-pressure channel is operable to adjust the working gas to a low pressure and communicate the air supply with the claw according to a low-pressure signal. The releasing channel is operable to block the claw from the atmosphere according to a vent-stopping signal.