Area Vacuum Gripper Ejector Nozzle for Thin Workpiece Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatically actuated vacuum grippers are inefficient in suctioning and securely holding large-area, thin, and flexible workpieces, particularly wafers, foils, and paper, due to inadequate suction pressure and positional control.
Innovation Solution
An area vacuum gripper with a suction chamber and an ejector nozzle that generates suction pressure by directing compressed air inward, using a sleeve-shaped section with a ring-shaped duct to enhance airflow and increase suction effect, while incorporating a vacuum sensor for load monitoring and an optical sensor for workpiece positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air is blown into the workpiece direction through a perforated plate, then objects can be suctioned, but the objects may not be excessively heavy and large-area objects cannot be suctioned efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of blowing compressed air toward the workpiece as in conventional Bernoulli grippers, this invention inverts the approach by using the ejector nozzle to create a suction effect that draws air and workpiece toward the gripper. The compressed air enters the ejector nozzle and creates a low-pressure zone that actively sucks the workpiece onto the suction surface, reversing the conventional blow-and-suction mechanism to achieve more reliable gripping of large-area objects
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles through the ejector nozzle design, where compressed air flow is converted into a suction effect. The ejector nozzle utilizes the Venturi effect and pressure differential principles to transform the compressed air inlet flow into a suction inlet that actively draws air and workpiece material toward the suction chamber, enabling reliable gripping of large-area objects without mechanical contact
2Reliability
If air is blown in the direction of the workpiece, then suction can be achieved, but positioning accuracy and separation precision are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The inversion of the air flow direction through the ejector nozzle creates a suction effect that pulls the workpiece precisely onto the suction surface with defined positioning. The suction inlet draws air and workpiece in a controlled manner, achieving both reliable suction and accurate positioning, unlike the conventional blow method that causes air turbulence and positioning errors
3Reliability
If a conventional vacuum gripper is used, then objects can be held, but energy efficiency is low for large-area objects
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector nozzle utilizes pneumatic amplification principles where a relatively small amount of compressed air at the inlet creates a much larger suction effect at the suction inlet. This pneumatic leverage allows the gripper to hold large-area objects reliably while consuming less compressed air energy compared to conventional vacuum grippers that would require high vacuum pressure across large surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter distribution by using the ejector nozzle to create a localized low-pressure zone that extends over a large area. Instead of maintaining high vacuum pressure across the entire suction surface, the ejector nozzle generates a suction effect that covers a large area with lower energy input, improving energy efficiency while maintaining holding reliability
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 enables more reliable, efficient, and precise gripping and separation of thin and flexible workpieces by generating a high-speed suction air stream that securely holds objects, improving process safety and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector nozzle is connected to the suction chamber, whereby the outlet of the ejector nozzle opening empties to the outside or into an exhaust air duct and the suction inlet of the ejector nozzle in the suction chamber
Implementation Method 2
the direction of the main air conveyance of the suction air stream in the connection of the ejector nozzle to the suction chamber matches the direction of the main air conveyance of the propulsion air stream in the ejector nozzle
Implementation Method 3
the suction pressure is generated by operating an ejector nozzle with the compressed air
Implementation Method 4
there where the work piece abuts, air is suctioned, whereby the workpiece is held firmly
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatically actuated area vacuum gripper for gripping and, if necessary, separating workpieces is provided by the present disclosure. In particular, the vacuum gripper is used with thin, flexible workpieces, and has a suction chamber, which has a suction wall with perforations, to be placed on the workpiece. An ejector nozzle has a connection and an outlet, the ejection nozzle being connected to the suction chamber via its connection, and the outlet of the ejector nozzle opening to the outside or into an exhaust air duct, and the suction inlet of the ejector nozzle empties into the suction chamber, whereby the direction of the air stream in the connection coming from the suction chamber corresponds to the direction of the main air conveyance in the ejector nozzle.