Suction Gripper Handling Cylindrical Goods in Automated Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated rack storage systems using suction grippers are limited in handling non-rectangular piece goods, particularly cylindrical items, due to the requirement of a flat end face for suction attachment, which results in increased minimum distances between items on the shelf.

Innovation Solution

The method involves bringing the suction head up to the curved lateral surface of cylindrical goods with a pre-generated suction flow, allowing reliable suction and transfer onto a support table, followed by relocation to another storage area with a switching to blowing flow to release suction pressure, enabling safe handling and storage without increasing inter-item distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a suction gripper is used to handle cylindrical piece goods, then the usability of suction grippers is expanded, but reliable suction on curved surfaces cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability of suction gripperVSAvoidreliable suction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction flow is generated before the suction head meets the lateral surface of the cylindrical piece goods. This preliminary action allows the suction force to be established in advance, ensuring reliable attachment to the curved surface before contact is made, thereby resolving the contradiction between expanding usability and maintaining reliable suction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If elastic coating is applied to gripping jaws to handle non-rectangular goods, then handling capability is improved, but minimum distance between items on shelf increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capabilityVSAvoidminimum distance between items

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical jaw gripper system with a suction-based system. Instead of using elastic-coated jaws that physically contact and deform around the goods, the invention uses a suction head that creates a vacuum to attach to the curved surface. This substitution eliminates the need for thick elastic coatings and large gripping jaws, thereby maintaining handling capability for cylindrical goods while avoiding the increase in minimum distance between items on the shelf.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If suction head is pressed against flat end face, then reliable suction is achieved, but cylindrical goods cannot be handled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliable suctionVSAvoidhandling of cylindrical goods

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The suction flow is activated before the suction head contacts the cylindrical surface, allowing the vacuum to be established in advance. This ensures reliable suction attachment even on curved surfaces where contact area is limited, thereby enabling handling of cylindrical goods while maintaining reliable suction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the suction system by generating suction flow before contact and maintaining it during the transfer process. This parameter change allows the suction head to reliably attach to and transfer cylindrical goods, expanding adaptability while preserving reliable suction through optimized timing and pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method allows for reliable and efficient transfer of cylindrical piece goods, such as bottles, maintaining minimal distances between items on the shelf, thereby expanding the usability of suction grippers beyond flat-end-faced goods.

Implementation Method 1

the suction flow being generated before the suction head meets the lateral surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the negative suction pressure in the suction head is reduced by generating a blowing flow that is opposite to the suction flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBlowing flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP1961678B1Method for relocating cylinder shaped goods in an automated high bay store using a gripper with a suction head

Publication Date: 2009.09.23 ROWA AUTOMATISIERUNGSSYSTEME

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Method for rearranging a cylindrical material (2) in an automated shelving storage unit using a suction gripper (3) with a suction head (4) comprises guiding the suction head on the curved casing surface (6) of the material, pulling the material onto a support table (5) of an operating device using the suction gripper, moving the table, pushing the material from the table, releasing the suction pressure in the suction head and pulling back the suction head. Preferred Features: The suction pressure is quickly released whilst a blowing stream is produced to oppose the suction stream.