Self-Locking Feed Screw Drive Mechanism for Electric Gripper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive mechanisms for gripping workpieces lose clamping force and risk dropping the workpiece when electrical power is interrupted, leading to excessive energy consumption and potential for workpiece drop.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism incorporating a self-locking feed screw that prevents displacement of the displacement member due to reactive forces from the workpiece, allowing the gripper to maintain the pressed or gripped state even when the rotary drive source is halted, utilizing a coefficient of friction and angle relationship to ensure reliable retention without energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous energizing of the motor is performed to maintain the gripped state, then the workpiece can be securely held, but electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed screw mechanism is designed to automatically maintain the gripped state through its own structural properties (self-locking capability) without requiring continuous external energy input. The reaction force from the workpiece itself serves to maintain the gripping position, eliminating the need for continuous motor energizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor operates periodically rather than continuously - it provides torque only when needed to overcome friction and maintain the gripped state against the self-locking mechanism, rather than requiring continuous energizing. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electrical power is stopped to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the workpiece may be dropped from the gripper
Solution Approach 1:
The feed screw mechanism uses the reaction force from the workpiece to automatically maintain the gripping position through its self-locking capability. When electrical power is stopped, the mechanism itself serves to hold the workpiece without requiring continuous energy input, thus improving both energy efficiency and reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction force that normally opposes motion is converted into a beneficial self-locking mechanism. The friction between the feed screw threads prevents the displacement member from retracting due to reaction forces, turning a potential harmful effect (friction causing energy loss) into a beneficial feature (automatic locking without continuous power).
3Use of energy by moving object
If a self-locking mechanism is introduced to maintain the gripped state without continuous power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking capability is extracted as an inherent property of the feed screw mechanism itself, rather than adding a separate locking device. By designing the feed screw with appropriate thread geometry and friction characteristics, the locking function is built into the basic drive mechanism, minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed screw mechanism serves multiple functions: it transmits motion from the motor to the displacement member, and simultaneously provides the self-locking function to maintain the gripped state. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 self-locking mechanism effectively maintains the gripped state without continuous energy supply, reducing energy consumption and preventing workpiece drop, while preventing biting or scraping issues at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
the self-locking mechanism is capable of being released by transmittal of a rotary drive force from the rotary drive source to the feed screw
Data Source
AI summary
A drive mechanism and a gripper mechanism equipped with the drive mechanism are provided. An electrical gripper includes a drive mechanism equipped with a motor, a feed screw that transmits a rotary drive force from the motor to a feed nut capable of displacement in an axial direction, and a gripper section that grips a workpiece by coupling to the feed nut and being displaced thereby. The drive mechanism further is constituted by a self-locking mechanism, which prevents the feed nut from being retracted as a result of a reactive force received in the event that the feed nut is advanced and the workpiece is gripped by the gripper section.