Temperature-Adaptive Resin Gripper for Versatile Workpiece Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping apparatuses lack versatility and cannot effectively grip workpieces of different shapes without requiring specific gripping apparatuses for each shape.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a resin part that softens and reforms when heated, allowing it to adapt to various workpiece shapes, combined with a temperature adjustment system and controller to manage the resin's shape changes, enabling the support of multiple workpiece types without pre-configured handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a gripping apparatus is designed for a specific workpiece shape, then gripping precision is improved, but versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resin part is designed to dynamically change its shape based on temperature. When heated to the first temperature or higher, it softens and can be deformed to match different workpiece shapes. When cooled below the second temperature, it maintains the adapted shape for precise gripping. This dynamic shape adaptability allows a single apparatus to handle multiple workpiece types while maintaining gripping precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes temperature as a control parameter to change the physical state of the resin part. By controlling temperature transitions between the first temperature (softening point) and second temperature (curing point), the resin part can switch between a compliant state for shaping and a rigid state for stable gripping, thereby achieving both versatility and precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gripping apparatuses are prepared for different workpiece shapes, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resin part serves multiple functions: it acts as a gripping surface, a shaping element, and an adaptive interface for different workpiece geometries. By making the resin part temperature-responsive, a single gripping apparatus can universally handle various workpiece shapes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized apparatuses and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin part undergoes phase transitions between soft and hard states through temperature control. In the soft state (heated above first temperature), it can be easily deformed to accommodate different workpiece shapes. In the hard state (cooled below second temperature), it provides stable gripping force. This phase transition capability allows one apparatus to replace multiple fixed-configuration apparatuses.
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 apparatus achieves high versatility in supporting multiple workpiece types by dynamically forming the resin part to match the shape of the workpiece, improving efficiency and reducing the need for multiple handling configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the resin part being softened when it is heated to a predetermined first temperature or higher in an initial shape
Implementation Method 2
cured when it is cooled down to a temperature lower than a predetermined second temperature from the state in which it is softened
Implementation Method 3
softened while it is restored to the initial shape when it is heated again to the first temperature or higher
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for supporting a workpiece having high versatility that can address a plurality of types of workpieces is achieved. An apparatus for supporting a workpiece according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a resin part configured to support the workpiece, the resin part being softened when it is heated to a predetermined first temperature or higher in an initial shape, cured when it is cooled down to a temperature lower than a predetermined second temperature from the state in which it is softened, and softened while it is restored to the initial shape when it is heated again to the first temperature or higher; a temperature adjustment part configured to adjust the temperature of the resin part; and a controller configured to control the temperature adjustment part.