Segmented Suction Gripping Head for Wrinkle-Free Patch Draping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping heads struggle to securely apply patches onto complex-shaped surfaces, particularly those requiring rotational movements, leading to wrinkles or incomplete adhesion due to improper suction control during application and detachment.
Innovation Solution
A gripping head with selectively activatable suction sectors and zones, controlled by valves and pressure sensors, allows precise gripping and detachment based on surface shape and movement, ensuring secure application and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gripping head performs rotational movement to apply patches on complex surfaces, then the patch application coverage is improved, but the suction stability deteriorates causing wrinkles or incomplete adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The suction chamber is divided into multiple independently controllable suction sectors, each with its own suction port and valve. This segmentation allows selective activation of suction zones during rotational movement, maintaining stable suction on the patch while adapting to complex surface geometries, thereby preventing wrinkles and incomplete adhesion
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping head employs dynamically controllable suction sectors that can be selectively activated or deactivated during rotational movement. The control system adjusts suction distribution in real-time based on the patch position and surface geometry, ensuring continuous stable suction throughout the rotation process
2Ease of operation
If the suction is interrupted during rotational movement, then the patch can be released, but the patch may fall onto uncoated areas causing wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-coordinates suction sector deactivation with the rotational movement timing. Before the patch is fully released, the suction in appropriate sectors is maintained or reactivated to prevent the patch from falling onto uncoated areas, ensuring wrinkle-free application
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from position sensors and surface geometry data to dynamically control suction sector activation. This feedback mechanism ensures that suction is maintained in areas where the patch needs support during rotation and release, preventing defects
3Reliability
If the suction is maintained during rotational movement, then the patch remains held, but the patch may detach from the previously applied surface
Solution Approach 1:
Different suction sectors can be independently controlled to provide locally optimized suction forces. Sectors in contact with the target surface maintain lower suction to allow adhesion, while sectors not in contact maintain higher suction to prevent patch detachment during rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented suction chamber allows independent control of suction in different zones. This enables the system to maintain patch holding in some sectors while allowing adhesion in others, resolving the conflict between maintaining hold and enabling release
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
Ensures reliable patch application and detachment without wrinkles, adapting to complex surface geometries by controlling suction sectors and zones for optimal contact and release.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum is created to grasp the patch by suction
Implementation Method 2
the wearer applies pressure by compacting the piece of deformable elastic material in order to expel the air, ensure the patch conforms to the shape of the target surface and obtain sufficient adhesion
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
This gripping head for gripping a patch and applying the patch to a surface to be draped comprises a suction chamber (13) delimiting at least one suction sector (14) and connected to at least one suction intake (15), and a gripper (12) connected to the suction chamber and comprising a piece of elastically deformable material configured for gripping a patch under a gripping effect created in the suction chamber. The gripper comprises selectively activatable gripping zones, and the gripping head comprises means (15, 17) for selectively activating the gripping zones.