Rotating-Claw Clamp Transfer for Compact Fragile-Article Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices struggle to handle fragile articles like infusion capsules with varying diameters efficiently at high speeds while maintaining a small footprint and preventing damage, especially during packaging processes.
Innovation Solution
A pincer device with rotating gripping claws that rotate around a longitudinal axis, allowing for gentle gripping and releasing of multiple articles simultaneously without increasing the apparatus' footprint, using a carousel-like transfer apparatus with a closed path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pincer devices are moved apart from each other to handle articles delicately, then the risk of damage to articles is reduced, but the overall dimensions of the transfer apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping claws are designed to rotate around a longitudinal axis during operation, transitioning between gripping and releasing positions. This dynamic movement allows the same spatial footprint to serve dual purposes: maintaining compact dimensions when gripping and providing clearance when releasing, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact size and damage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving pincer devices apart in the horizontal plane to avoid damage, the invention utilizes rotational movement around a longitudinal axis. This adds a rotational dimension to the gripping mechanism, allowing delicate handling without increasing the horizontal footprint of the apparatus.
2Productivity
If a large number of pincer devices are arranged close together, then the flow rate of articles is increased, but the delicacy of handling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating gripping claws dynamically adjust their position during the transfer cycle. When multiple pincer devices operate in close proximity, each claw rotates to provide gentle gripping contact only when needed, while maintaining compact arrangement for high productivity. This dynamic behavior enables both high flow rate and delicate handling.
3Reliability
If excessive grip force is applied to capsules, then the gripping reliability is improved, but the capsules break or deform causing damage to content
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping claws rotate around a longitudinal axis to transition between gripping and releasing positions. This rotational motion allows the claws to engage capsules gently during gripping while maintaining reliable contact, and to release completely when needed, avoiding excessive force that would cause damage to fragile capsules and their contents.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a pincer device (1; 5), for gripping and releasing articles (10) in a transfer step from an operating station to a subsequent station, capable of operating, in a transfer apparatus, with a minimum footprint, without interfering with other pincer devices arranged at close range thereto, there are provided a pair of gripping claws (11), cooperating with each other and having each a proximal end (12) and a distal end (13), a gripping edge (14) facing the gripping edge (14) of the other gripping claw (11), and a longitudinal development following a predefined respective direction (X1); a driving mechanism, comprising at least one rotary actuator connected to a respective proximal end (12), provided to rotate each gripping claw (11) from a gripping position to a release position by rotating each gripping claw (11) about a rotation axis (X2) parallel to the predefined direction (X1); wherein, in the gripping position, the gripping edges (14) have a minimum spacing therebetween, progressively increasing towards the release position.