Spring-Actuated Gripper with Mechanical Latch for Drone Payloads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gripper apparatuses for robots and drones face challenges with power transfer, weight, and safety, particularly in maintaining gripping force without electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic power sources, and ensuring low energy consumption and minimal weight for handling heavy payloads.

Innovation Solution

A gripper apparatus with a mechanical latch mechanism and a clamping force generator, such as a helix spring, that operates without electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic power, using a lever and support block mechanism to maintain gripping force and allow for varying jaw positions to accommodate different object sizes, and a carrier coupling device for attachment to drones or robot arms, enabling operation with minimal power requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuation systems are used to actuate gripper jaws, then the gripping force can be maintained reliably, but the weight of the gripper apparatus increases and power supply becomes a critical issue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping force maintenanceVSAvoidgripper apparatus weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic power sources from the gripper apparatus, extracting the heavy and complex power supply systems while retaining reliable gripping through mechanical spring actuation and latch mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-based actuation system is self-contained and self-sustaining, requiring no external power supply. The latch mechanism automatically maintains gripping force without continuous energy input, making the system self-service and eliminating battery or power source dependencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If electric gripper with batteries is used for drone application, then the gripper can be actuated, but the weight increases significantly reducing payload capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper actuation capabilityVSAvoidgripper apparatus weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electric actuation systems with a purely mechanical spring-based actuation system. The spring provides the actuating force, and the latch mechanism maintains it, eliminating the need for batteries, motors, and control electronics while preserving full gripper actuation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripper operates through periodic mechanical actions: the spring accumulates potential energy, releases it to close the jaws, the latch holds the position, and a release mechanism opens the jaws. This periodic mechanical cycle provides full actuation without continuous power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If power supply fails in electric gripper system, then operation stops, but the object may fall from the gripper beak causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper operation continuityVSAvoidobject holding safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is designed with inherent safety features that prevent accidental release. The mechanical latch provides a fail-safe holding mechanism that maintains gripping force even if other system components fail, cushioning against the harmful effect of object drop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-based actuation system maintains gripping force indefinitely without power input. The system serves itself by using the spring's stored energy and the latch's mechanical holding capability to ensure continuous secure gripping, eliminating the risk of power-failure-induced drops

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables reliable gripping and placement of objects without the need for batteries or heavy power sources, ensuring continuous operation and safe handling of heavy payloads by using mechanical actuators that maintain gripping force indefinitely without power exhaustion.

Implementation Method 1

a force generator (133) which is biased to exert a clamping force on said second jaw (122) urging said second jaw (122) towards said first jaw (121)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3562632B1Gripper apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.10.13 CSI IND BV

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 2E~2H

AI summary

A gripper apparatus (100) comprises: a gripper frame (110) and a gripper beak (120); an actuation mechanism (130) for actuating the gripper beak; a clamping force generator (133) biased to exert a clamping force on the gripper beak; a transmission mechanism (170) comprising an input member (175) that is vertically dispiaceabie with respect to the gnpper frame, wherein the transmission mechanism engages the actuation mechanism such that a high position of the input member corresponds to a closed position of the gripper beak while a downward displacement of the input member corresponds to a transition of the gripper beak to an open position; a vertically dispiaceabie carrier coupisng device (140) that in a lower rest position presses down on the input member; a latch mechanism (180), preferably of alternate push-push type, for holding the gripper beak (120) in its open position.