Pneumatic Gripper Synchronization via Eccentric Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grippers, particularly pneumatically actuated ones, face challenges in achieving reliable object grasping while maintaining a compact design and low weight, often damaging objects due to unsynchronized jaw movements and complex force-transmitting mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatically actuated gripper with synchronized gripping jaws, utilizing a circular cylindrical synchronizing element and eccentric projections to convert linear movement into coordinated pivoting, ensuring reliable and self-centering grasping without the need for complex mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex force-transmitting mechanisms are used to achieve synchronized jaw movements, then gripping reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping reliabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the synchronization function into the basic structural components by making both gripping jaws pivot on a common axis and connect them through a shared pneumatic cylinder via rods. This integration eliminates the need for separate synchronization mechanisms while ensuring both jaws move together reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pneumatic cylinder serves multiple functions: it provides the driving force for jaw closure and simultaneously ensures synchronized movement of both jaws through its dual rod connection. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining gripping reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Force

If rigid jaws with large contact area are used to increase gripping strength, then gripping strength is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping strengthVSAvoidgripper weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping jaws feature localized reinforcement at the contact surfaces where gripping force is applied, while the body of the jaws maintains a lighter, more compact structure. This allows high gripping strength at the critical contact points without increasing overall jaw weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If compact design is pursued to reduce weight and size, then device compactness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper volumeVSAvoidjaw alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping jaws are designed with asymmetric pivot positions relative to the pneumatic cylinder, allowing compact arrangement of components while maintaining proper alignment. The asymmetric design enables precise jaw alignment through the pivot geometry rather than requiring high-precision symmetric mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution enables reliable, synchronized gripping with reduced wear and a compact design, allowing for versatile and robust object handling, including fragile items, by synchronizing the pivoting movements of the jaws and eliminating the need for complex force-transmitting mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second gripping jaws are coupled to the linear drive such that a linear movement produced by the linear drive is converted into a pivoting movement of the respective first and second gripping jaws

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

the first and second gripping jaw to be coupled together by means of a synchronizing element such that upon the linear drive being actuated, the pivoting movements of the first and second gripping jaws are synchronized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical synchronization: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS9266242B2Gripper

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 FIPA

AI summary

A gripper (1), in particular a pneumatically actuated gripper, with a housing (2), in which a preferably pneumatically actuable linear drive (6) is formed. The gripper also has first and second gripping jaws (10, 20), which are respectively mounted pivotably in relation to the housing (2) about a pivot axis (D1, D2). The first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are coupled to the linear drive (6) in such a way that a linear movement produced by the linear drive (6) is respectively converted into a pivoting movement of the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) in an opening or closing direction of the gripping jaws (10, 20). In order to ensure reliable gripping, the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are coupled to one another by way of a synchronizing element (5) in such a way that, when the linear drive (6) is actuated, the pivoting movements of the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are synchronized.