Gripping Device for Porous Materials Using Segmented Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for handling porous and air-permeable materials in industrial processes are inadequate as they often result in material breakage, compression, or improper attachment, leading to inefficiencies and damage during gripping, transportation, and release.

Innovation Solution

A gripping device utilizing a gripper chamber with a valve that creates a pressure difference between a source underpressure and the surrounding environment to safely grip and release materials, featuring a grating that covers the gripper opening and a distribution member for homogeneous pressure distribution, allowing for gentle handling and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If suction cups are used to grip porous material, then gripping force is improved, but the material gets sucked in and clogs the suction cup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping forceVSAvoidgripping reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction cup surface is segmented into multiple independent suction zones separated by raised ridges. This segmentation prevents material from spanning across the entire cup surface and clogging the central suction channel, while each zone independently contributes to gripping force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Raised ridges act as intermediary structures between the suction cup surface and the porous material. These ridges prevent direct contact and clogging of the suction channels while still allowing the material to be held by suction pressure in the zones between ridges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If needle gripper is used to handle porous material, then gripping precision is improved, but the fragile material breaks apart

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping precisionVSAvoidmaterial integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical needle piercing system is replaced with a pneumatic suction system. Instead of using physical needles to penetrate and hold the material, the invention uses controlled negative pressure fields to attract and hold the porous material gently on the cup surface without mechanical penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If claw gripper applies pressure to porous material, then gripping force is improved, but the material is compressed and destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping forceVSAvoidmaterial integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying positive pressure from outside to grip the material (as claw grippers do), the invention applies negative pressure by creating a vacuum inside the suction cup. This inverted pressure approach allows the atmospheric pressure to push the material gently against the cup surface without compression or deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If low pressure cyclons are used for handling porous material, then material handling is simplified, but the material spreads uncontrolled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidmaterial structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible membrane forms the suction cup surface, creating a sealed chamber that contains the porous material. This flexible shell allows the material to conform to the cup surface while being held in a controlled position, preventing uncontrolled spreading while maintaining handling simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device effectively grips and releases fragile, porous materials without damage, ensuring material integrity and adaptability for industrial production lines, while being cost-effective and suitable for automated processes.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the pressure difference between the surrounding presssure and the source pressure the device can safely grip and release the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

gripping of porous material can be approached by the use of suction cups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3981555A1Gripping device for porous materials

Publication Date: 2022.04.13 AUTOMATION PRESS & TOOLING AP&T AB

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a gripping device (100) for gripping a material (160) and a method for gripping a material. The gripping device comprises a gripper chamber (102) having a gripper opening (106) configured to face the material when in use, and a valve opening (122), a grating (108) covering at least a portion of the gripper opening, a valve (120) arranged at or in fluid connection with the valve opening of the gripper chamber. The gripper chamber comprises connections to a pressure source (142) configured to provide a source underpressure and to a surrounding environment (142) having a surrounding pressure. The valve is configured to, in an open state, connect the valve opening to the surrounding environment, and in a gripping state, connect to the valve opening to the pressure source.