Sheet Workpiece Pick-Up Using Air, Claw, and Suction Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pick-up devices for sheet-shaped workpieces often fail to stably pick up individual pieces due to material type, leading to multiple pieces being picked up simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A pick-up device incorporating a nozzle mechanism for air blowing, a holding mechanism with a claw member, a suction mechanism, and a control device that allows for selective operation control using combinations of these mechanisms to stabilize the pick-up process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a suction nozzle is used to pick up workpieces from the top by abutting against them, then the pick-up operation can be performed, but two or more workpieces are picked up at a time depending on material type, making stable pick-up difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up device is divided into multiple independent mechanisms: a separation mechanism with a claw member to separate individual workpieces, a holding mechanism to securely hold the separated workpiece, and a suction mechanism as backup. This segmentation allows each mechanism to perform its specific function independently, ensuring stable pick-up of single workpieces without picking up multiple pieces simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The claw member acts as an intermediary between the suction nozzle and the workpieces. Instead of directly using the suction nozzle to grip workpieces (which causes multiple pieces to be picked up), the claw member first separates and positions individual workpieces, then the suction mechanism gently picks them up. This intermediary component enables stable, controlled pick-up of single workpieces.
2Device complexity
If a single pick-up mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to various workpiece materials and types
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up device integrates multiple mechanisms (separation mechanism with claw member, holding mechanism, and suction mechanism) into a single unified system that can handle various workpiece materials and types. The control device coordinates these mechanisms to work together, allowing the same device structure to adapt to different workpiece characteristics without requiring separate specialized devices for each material type.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic control through the control device that adjusts the operation sequence and coordination of different mechanisms based on the workpiece type. The separation mechanism, holding mechanism, and suction mechanism can be activated in different combinations and sequences depending on the material characteristics, enabling the rigid mechanical structure to behave dynamically and adapt to various workpiece requirements.
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 device effectively picks up individual workpieces by adapting to various materials, ensuring stable and accurate handling of diverse sheet-shaped workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle mechanism that includes a pick-up nozzle pulling up a first workpiece from the top of the stacked workpieces by air blowing
Implementation Method 2
a suction mechanism that includes a non-absorption type suction pad pulling up the first workpiece from the top of the stacked workpieces
Data Source
AI summary
A pick-up device picking up stacked sheet-shaped workpieces from the top, the device includes a nozzle mechanism that pulls up a first workpiece from the top of the stacked workpieces by air blowing, a holding mechanism that holds the first workpiece, a separation mechanism that includes a claw member being inserted into a lower side of the first workpiece with respect to the stacked workpieces, and a forward and backward drive unit causing a tip part of the claw member to move forward and backward, a suction mechanism that pulls up the first workpiece, a control device that controls the above four mechanisms, and a selection unit that selects one or more combinations of the nozzle mechanism, the separation mechanism, and the suction mechanism. The control device controls an operation for picking up the stacked workpieces from the top according to the selection of the selection unit.