Pneumatic Gripper Needle for Blind Cord Threading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual threading of cords into sun protection systems with slat blinds or foldable blinds is time-consuming and hinders automation in production, as it requires manual knotting and pulling through aligned bores, limiting efficiency and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a gripper with a movable needle and clamping mechanism, similar to textile needles, that automates cord threading by using a pneumatic or electrical actuator to guide the tube with a hook through aligned bores, allowing secure clamping and efficient passage of cords, even with jammed cords, and enabling movement in multiple directions to accommodate various hole configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual threading is used, then the process is simple to operate, but productivity is low and automation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is inserted into the tube, forming a nested structure where the needle (inner element) moves within the tube (outer element). This nesting allows the cord to be clamped between the needle's hook and the tube's inner wall, enabling automated gripping and pulling through the bores without complex external mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The tube acts as an intermediary carrier that holds the needle and provides the clamping surface. The needle serves as a mediator that penetrates the cord to secure it. This intermediary structure enables the automation of the threading process while maintaining simplicity in the overall device design
2Reliability
If the gripper clamps the cord securely, then the cord is held firmly, but the gripper cannot pass through jammed cords
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed to be movable within the tube, allowing dynamic adjustment during the threading process. When encountering a jammed cord, the needle can move forward to penetrate and secure the cord, then move back to release it, enabling the gripper to adapt to both secure clamping and jammed cord scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping function is segmented into two distinct phases: the needle penetrates the cord to create a secure attachment point, then the tube's inner wall provides the clamping surface. This segmentation allows the system to handle both firmly clamped cords and jammed cords by adjusting the needle's position and penetration depth
3Length of moving object
If the tube outer diameter is small enough to pass through bores, then the gripper can thread through holes, but the clamping force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The needle penetrates the cord in advance, creating a secure attachment point before the tube engages with the cord. This preliminary action ensures that the cord is already secured to the needle, allowing the tube to maintain a small diameter for bore passage while still achieving reliable clamping through the pre-established needle-cord connection
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 significantly enhances production efficiency by automating the cord threading process, reducing manual labor and enabling cost savings in series production of sun protection systems, while ensuring secure cord placement and alignment for stable blind operation.
Implementation Method 1
the needle (14) movable in the tube (12) with a hook (18) at its free end, by which the cord (22) can be clamped between itself and the free edge of the tube (12) in a retracted clamping position
Implementation Method 2
The adjustability of the needle relative to the tube can be realized, for example, by a pneumatic actuator, but of course also by electrical actuators or other suitable drives
Implementation Method 3
With the help of the movement of the holder, the tube with the clamped hook is then pulled through the through-holes of the curtain
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The device has a hanging fixture (24) for holding a hanger (26) in a position joined to a package with aligning bore holes (28, 30). A grip arm (10) is moved through the bore holes in the hanger, and includes a tube (12) and a needle (14) at a free end. A cord (22) is firmly clampable for duration of insertion. The grip arm comprises a hook (18) that blocks the cord between the hook and a free edge of the tube in a withdrawn clamping position of the needle. The needle is adjusted using a pneumatic control member relative to the tube.