Pneumatic Linear Gripper with Dual-Component Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear pneumatic grippers are cumbersome, heavy, complex to produce, and prone to manufacturing defects due to multiple assembled components, which affect precision and movement parallelism.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic linear gripper design featuring a gripper body composed of two semi-shells forming the chamber and jaw guides, with a piston made of dual components (plastic and metal) for simplified assembly and reduced size, weight, and integration of a magnet-sensitive position sensor in a non-magnetic component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-component assembly is used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traditional components (piston body, seals, translation means, guide elements) into an integrated piston assembly. The piston comprises a first component with sealing surfaces and a second component with translation means, eliminating the need for separate guide elements and reducing assembly steps while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular component design.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing (first component with gaskets), generates motion (second component with translation means), and guides the jaws. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized interfaces.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-component assembly is used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the translation means and guide functions into the piston assembly itself, the patent eliminates connection tolerances between separate components. The piston's integrated structure ensures precise jaw movement parallelism while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular design of the piston components.
3Volume of moving object
If gripper body is made smaller, then compactness is improved, but structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The piston assembly uses composite construction with a first component (likely polymer or composite material for sealing and lightweight properties) and a second component (metal for strength and translation means). This composite approach enables compact dimensions while maintaining structural strength through material optimization.
4Measurement precision
If magnet-sensitive sensor is fixed directly to piston, then position detection precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to magnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-magnetic intermediary component (first component of the piston, likely made of non-magnetic material) that couples the magnet-sensitive sensor to the piston. This intermediary allows precise position detection through magnetic field interaction while preventing direct magnetic interference with the sensor, ensuring reliable operation.
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 design simplifies assembly, reduces size and weight, enhances precision, and maintains performance while avoiding magnetic interference, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective gripper.
Implementation Method 1
a piston positioned and moving alternately in said chamber under the action of a fluid under pressure
Implementation Method 2
a magnet sensitive sensor in a non-magnetic component of the piston to detect the position of the piston inside the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic linear gripper, including a gripper body (11) with a chamber (15), a piston (12) moving alternately in the chamber (15) and a pair of jaws (13) sliding associated and movable in opposite directions with piston via a translation device (20). The gripper body (11) is formed of two elements (14), or semi-shells, joined face to face to define at the same time the chamber (15) for the piston (12) and the sliding guides (16) for the jaws (13). The piston (12) is composed of a first component (21), made of a plastic material, bearing seals and a second component (22), made of metal, associated with the first and united, in particular integral, with the translation device (20) of the jaws in opposite directions.