Rotating Gripping Head for Long Goods Cassette Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage and retrieval devices for cassettes are limited by the fixed arrangement of gripping devices, which restricts their flexibility and efficiency, as they can only be brought into the rest or gripping position in conjunction with the transport carriage's traversing position.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with a rotating gripping head that can pivot between two positions, equipped with independently movable gripping elements, allowing for flexible operation and reliable gripping of cassettes regardless of the transport carriage's position, and featuring pivotable and eccentrically arranged gripping elements for enhanced maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gripping device uses a fixed arrangement with two parallel gripping arms, then the structure is simple, but the operational flexibility is limited and the gripping device cannot be brought into rest or gripping position independently of the transport carriage's traversing position
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is transformed from a fixed arrangement to a dynamic structure with a rotatable gripping head that can pivot between different positions. The gripping head can rotate about a vertical axis and the gripping elements can pivot about horizontal axes, allowing the device to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements rather than being constrained to a single fixed position
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device is divided into independent functional segments: the gripping head that rotates about a vertical axis, the gripping elements that pivot independently about horizontal axes, and the transport carriage. This segmentation allows each component to move and position itself independently, enabling the gripping elements to be brought into gripping or rest positions regardless of the transport carriage's traversing position
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gripping elements are arranged at a larger mutual distance, then the gripping device can reach cassettes at different positions, but the distance between gripping elements increases which may affect gripping precision
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping elements are positioned at a relatively small mutual distance but can dynamically adjust their positions through pivoting movements about horizontal axes. This allows the gripping elements to maintain close proximity for precision while still being able to reach and grip cassettes at various positions through coordinated rotation and pivoting of the gripping head and elements
3Reliability
If the gripping elements are made robust to prevent material damage, then the reliability increases, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping elements are designed with predetermined breaking points that act as safety features. These breaking points are intentionally designed to fail first under excessive load, preventing damage to more critical components and the cassette itself. This built-in protection mechanism ensures reliability by preventing catastrophic failures while maintaining a relatively simple gripping element structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The equipment (14) has a horizontal cartridge support (20) with a transport cart movable along a horizontal guide track by towing chains. The transport cart includes a gripping head, an external gripping element and an internal gripping element, where the gripping head is rotatable around a vertical rotational axis between two drawing positions. The gripping head supports the gripping elements arranged at different distances from the rotational axis. The gripping elements are movable independent of each other between a lowered rest position and a raised grip position. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a shelf support comprising shelves (2) a method for transferring a cartridge i.e. longitudinal item cartridge, from a shelf support with a shelf access equipment (3) a method for restoring a cartridge i.e. longitudinal item cartridge, from one shelf into another shelf of a shelf support with a shelf access equipment.