Transport Device With Swinging Auxiliary Pads For High-Speed Workpiece Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices for stacked workpieces require a specially designed actuator to pick up workpieces one by one, leading to a complex configuration and increased inertial force, making it difficult to determine the transport position with high precision at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a main pad, a swinging member, a contact element, a first auxiliary pad that can contract towards the workpiece, and a second auxiliary pad with a larger stroke amount, which allows for picking up workpieces without a specially designed actuator, simplifying the configuration and reducing inertial force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a specially designed actuator is added to enable picking up workpieces one by one, then the picking-up function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the number of drive sources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking-up functionVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the transport platform and the picking-up mechanism. The main pad and auxiliary pads integrated on the carrier enable it to both transport and pick up workpieces, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated actuator system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The picking-up function is merged with the carrier structure itself. The main pad and auxiliary pads are integrated onto the carrier, combining the transport and picking-up functions into a single unified structure, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a specially designed actuator is added to enable picking up workpieces one by one, then the picking-up function is achieved, but the inertial force increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking-up functionVSAvoidinertial force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy specially designed actuator is extracted and removed from the system. Instead, a lightweight swinging member with pneumatic pads is used, significantly reducing the moving mass and inertial force while maintaining the picking-up capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional mechanical actuator system is replaced with a pneumatic system using air-driven pads. This substitution reduces the mechanical mass and inertial force, allowing for faster acceleration and deceleration during workpiece handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the carrier moves at high speed, then productivity is improved, but the transport position determination precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport speedVSAvoidtransport position precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The swinging member is designed to dynamically adapt its position. By controlling the swinging motion, the system can maintain precise positioning of the auxiliary pads relative to the workpiece even during high-speed carrier movement, allowing accurate transport position determination at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the swinging member's position and the pneumatic pad contact to determine the transport position of the workpiece. This feedback mechanism enables precise position determination even when the carrier is moving at high speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 precise and efficient picking up and transportation of workpieces at high speeds without increasing the number of drive sources or inertial force, thereby simplifying the device configuration and improving precision.

Implementation Method 1

a main pad coupled to the carrier and configured to suck a workpiece; a first auxiliary pad supported by the swinging member... and configured to suck the workpiece; a second auxiliary pad supported by the swinging member... and configured to suck the workpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3808515B1Transport device and fetching unit

Publication Date: 2023.05.24 AMADA CO LTD

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AI summary

A transport device includes: a main pad coupled to the carrier and configured to suck a workpiece; a swinging member axially supported by the carrier so as to be able to swing around a swinging shaft; a contact element configured to be lifted and lowered along with the carrier and come into contact with the workpiece; a first auxiliary pad supported by the swinging member at a position distal to the carrier as compared with the swinging shaft and configured to suck the workpiece, the first auxiliary pad being able to contract toward the workpiece; and a second auxiliary pad supported by the swinging member at a position proximal to the carrier as compared with the swinging shaft and configured to suck the workpiece, the second auxiliary pad being able to contract toward the workpiece by a stroke amount larger than a stroke amount of the first auxiliary pad.