Area Suction Gripper Foam Base Layer Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface suction grippers face challenges when gripping objects with elevations or edges, as increased suction force required to lift such objects can cause the foam covering to collapse, and existing designs struggle with objects of varying heights.
Innovation Solution
A surface suction gripper with a foam covering and a base layer thicker than the cover layer, featuring through-holes with a larger cross-section than suction holes, allowing for height compensation and increased suction pressure without collapsing, along with a suction plate or grille for targeted negative pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If increased suction force is applied to lift objects with edges or elevations, then the objects can be lifted, but the foam covering collapses
Solution Approach 1:
The foam covering is divided into two distinct layers: a thin cover layer with suction holes and a thicker base layer with through-holes. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the cover layer provides suction while the base layer provides structural support and prevents collapse under increased suction force.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the foam covering have different properties - the cover layer is thin and air-permeable for effective suction, while the base layer is thick and structurally robust for supporting the suction force without collapsing. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between suction effectiveness and structural stability.
2Productivity
If the foam covering is made thinner to improve suction effectiveness, then suction performance improves, but the ability to compensate for height differences decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam covering is segmented into a thin cover layer for optimal suction performance and a thick base layer for height compensation. This segmentation allows the thin cover layer to maintain good suction effectiveness while the thick base layer provides the necessary adaptability for objects of varying heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-layer design to a multi-layer design, adding the vertical dimension of layering. The thin cover layer operates in the suction dimension while the thick base layer operates in the height compensation dimension, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cross-section of through-holes is made larger to prevent base layer collapse, then structural stability improves, but suction efficiency through the holes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The through-holes are segmented into two types: smaller suction holes in the cover layer for efficient suction and larger through-holes in the base layer for structural stability. Each hole type is optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between stability and suction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different locations in the foam covering have different hole sizes - the cover layer has small suction holes for efficient air intake, while the base layer has larger through-holes to prevent collapse. This local differentiation of hole dimensions allows both suction efficiency and structural stability to coexist.
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 secure gripping of objects with uneven surfaces by compensating for height differences and maintaining suction without collapsing, even under increased pressure, while allowing for reliable suction across the cover layer.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber (12) that can be subjected to negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
the cover layer (22) can be made of a slightly air-permeable foam material
Data Source
AI summary
The flat suction gripper (10) has a vacuum chamber (12) subjected to low pressure and has a foam coating (18), for attaching on handling articles. The foam coating has outer lining layer (22) with suction holes (26) opposite to the handling objects and a base layer (20) with through holes (24). The base layer thicker than the outer lining layer, facing the vacuum chamber, for connecting the suction holes with the vacuum chamber. The cross section (t1) of the through holes is bigger than the cross section (t2) of the suction holes.