Vacuum Gripper Suction Plate Assembly for Fast Bottom Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum grippers require time-consuming disassembly of threaded connections to replace worn or damaged suction bottoms, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum gripper design featuring a tongue and groove joint between the lid and suction bottom for formfitting engagement, allowing for rapid assembly and disassembly without the need for threaded connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connections are used to connect the lid and suction bottom, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The suction plate is divided into separate components (lid and suction bottom) that can be independently replaced. The suction bottom can be quickly detached and replaced without affecting the lid or requiring disassembly of threaded connections, enabling rapid maintenance while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction bottom is nested within the lid structure, with the suction bottom's outer diameter being smaller than the lid's inner diameter. This nesting arrangement allows the suction bottom to be easily inserted and secured within the lid, providing both secure connection and quick replacement capability.
2Strength
If threaded connections are used to connect the lid and suction bottom, then the connection is secure, but the replacement of worn components requires loosening threaded connections which is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented such that the suction bottom can be independently removed from the lid without requiring disassembly of the lid's threaded connections to the gripper support. This segmentation maintains strong connections where needed while enabling efficient maintenance of wear-prone components.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction bottom is designed as a replaceable component that can be quickly discarded when worn and replaced with a new one. The rapid replacement process recovers productivity by minimizing downtime, while the threaded connections of the lid remain intact and reusable.
3Ease of operation
If a tongue and groove joint is used between lid and suction bottom, then assembly is simple and rapid, but the connection may be less secure than threaded connections
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue of the suction bottom fits into the groove of the lid in a nested arrangement, providing secure mechanical interlocking. This nesting configuration ensures the suction bottom remains firmly held by the lid while allowing for simple insertion and removal when maintenance is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue and groove joint creates a segmented but secure connection between the lid and suction bottom. The joint is designed to provide sufficient connection reliability for operation while maintaining the ability to quickly separate the components for maintenance, balancing ease of operation with connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum gripper includes a suction plate for gripping an object. The suction plate has a lid and a suction bottom which define a suction chamber there between and engage formfittingly at least on one side within one another via a tongue and groove joint extending in parallel relation to a gripping plane. The tongue and groove joint includes a groove on one of the suction bottom and lid, and a tongue which is formed on the other one of the suction bottom and lid and fits into the groove.