Vacuum Cup Bellows Insert for Resonance Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end-effectors for programmable motion devices face challenges in securely grasping and moving a wide variety of objects without producing excessive noise, particularly when using high air-flow vacuum systems.
Innovation Solution
The end-effector system incorporates a flexible intermediate section with a bellows portion and a bellows insert that extends into the flexible intermediate section, inhibiting air-flow resonance and reducing noise while maintaining flexibility and secure object grasp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible vacuum cup with high air-flow is used to securely grasp and move a wide variety of objects, then adaptability and grasp security are improved, but noise level increases to unacceptable levels
Solution Approach 1:
A bellows insert is introduced as an intermediary component within the bellows portion of the vacuum cup assembly. This insert acts as a mediator that disrupts air-flow resonance patterns while allowing the flexible intermediate section to maintain its flexibility and sealing capability. The bellows insert specifically targets and reduces the harmful resonance noise generated during high air-flow operations without compromising the adaptability of the flexible vacuum cup to various object surfaces and geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows insert is designed to disrupt resonant vibrations within the bellows portion during high air-flow operation. By introducing this internal structure, the system modifies the vibration characteristics of the air-flow, breaking up standing wave patterns that cause excessive noise. This allows the flexible vacuum cup to operate at high air-flow rates needed for secure grasping while significantly reducing the noise generated by resonant air-flow within the flexible intermediate section.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a rigid vacuum cup structure is used to reduce noise, then noise level is reduced, but flexibility and ability to conform to objects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible intermediate section is segmented into multiple functional zones: an outer flexible bellows portion that provides adaptability and conformability to various object surfaces, and an internal bellows insert that provides noise reduction. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specialized function - the flexible outer structure maintains adaptability while the internal insert reduces noise from air-flow resonance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the vacuum cup assembly have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions. The outer bellows portion is made highly flexible with varying wall thicknesses to conform to different object geometries, while the internal bellows insert has a more rigid structure optimized for disrupting air-flow resonance. This local differentiation of structural quality allows the system to simultaneously achieve flexibility where needed and noise reduction where air-flow occurs.
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 solution effectively reduces unwanted noise during high air-flow vacuum operations while ensuring secure object handling and flexibility in accommodating various object sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows insert that extends into the flexible intermediate section a sufficient distance to inhibit a substantial amount of air-flow from entering the bellows portion yet does not significantly inhibit freedom of movement of the flexible intermediate section
Data Source
AI summary
An end-effector for a programmable motion device is disclosed for use with a vacuum source. The end-effector includes an end-effector attachment portion for attaching the end-effector to the programmable motion device, the end-effector attachment portion including a vacuum channel coupled to the vacuum source, a contact portion of the end-effector for contacting an object to be acquired by the contact portion of the end-effector, a flexible intermediate section including a contact end of the flexible intermediate portion proximate the contact portion of the end-effector, the flexible intermediate section of the end-effector being intermediate the end-effector attachment portion and the contact portion of the end-effector, the flexible intermediate section including a bellows portion that extends radially outwardly of the vacuum channel, and a bellows insert that extends into the flexible intermediate section.