Compact Pneumatic Gripper with Integrated Control Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic grippers are large, heavy, and lack the precision and speed required for robotic applications, particularly in terms of proportional control of pressure and position.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight pneumatic gripper design that incorporates a pneumatic actuation group with cartridge solenoid valves and sensors, allowing for precise proportional control of pressure and position through an integrated electronic command and control board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional pneumatic gripper design is used, then the gripper can perform basic gripping function, but the size and weight are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control board, solenoid valves, and sensors directly into the gripper body, merging previously separate external control components into a unified compact structure. This integration reduces the overall volume while maintaining full control functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between compact size and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The control board and solenoid valves are housed within the gripper body structure, nesting control components inside the mechanical structure. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for separate external control housings, reducing overall gripper volume while preserving all control functions.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional pneumatic gripper design is used, then the gripper can perform basic gripping function, but the weight is high
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the control board and solenoid valves into the gripper body, the patent eliminates heavy external control housings and connection infrastructure. The integrated design reduces overall weight while the direct integration actually improves response speed by minimizing signal transmission distances and eliminating external connection delays.
3Measurement precision
If proportional control is added to traditional gripper, then pressure control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control board, solenoid valves, and sensors into a single integrated control unit housed within the gripper body. This merging approach maintains full proportional control functionality while reducing device complexity by eliminating separate external control components and their interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control board and sensors enable the gripper to autonomously monitor and adjust its own pressure and position. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-regulation, eliminating the need for external control systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high precision control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If integrated control board is used, then the number of external connections is reduced, but the internal space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control board and solenoid valves are nested within the existing gripper body structure, utilizing internal cavities and spaces that would otherwise be unused. This nested arrangement increases integration level while minimizing the additional volume required, as components are placed within the mechanical structure rather than requiring separate external housings.
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 gripper achieves high precision and speed in controlling grip force and position, while being more compact and lighter than traditional grippers, with minimized external connections due to integrated control devices.
Implementation Method 1
cartridge solenoid valves (20, 20a) housed in respective valve seats (22) obtained in the internal body (18)
Implementation Method 2
a pneumatic actuation group (14) operatively coupled to the jaws (2) to move the jaws between the open and closed positions by means of a pressurized command fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
A pneumatic gripper comprises a shell (10) in which a pneumatic actuation group (14) and an electronic command and control board (16) are housed. The gripper houses an internal body (18) in which two pneumatic chambers (26, 26a) are obtained, a j aw actuation piston (28, 28a) being slidably housed in each pneumatic chamber. The internal body houses cartridge solenoid valves (20, 20a) suitable to control the passage of air from an inlet port (30a) to the pneumatic chambers. The gripper is provided with a transducer shaft (24) operatively connected to the jaw actuation pistons (28, 28a) so as to be actuated to rotate by the translation of the jaw actuation pistons.