Portable Vacuum Gripper Seal for Irregular Surface Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum grippers face challenges in securely gripping and transporting objects with irregular surfaces due to limited adaptability and power conservation issues, particularly in maintaining vacuum suction over extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A portable vacuum gripper with a deformable elastic seal and a power-saving mechanism, including a controller for regulating the air extraction mechanism, a manual recharge system, and a manual pumping system, which allows for effective gripping of irregular surfaces and prolonged use by conserving battery energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid vacuum seal is used, then the seal can maintain structural integrity, but it cannot conform to irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible vacuum seal comprising an elastomeric material that can deform and conform to irregular surfaces while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The flexible nature allows the seal to adapt to surface variations without compromising its structural integrity or vacuum-holding capability
2Reliability
If the air extraction mechanism operates continuously, then vacuum suction is maintained, but battery energy is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller regulates the air extraction mechanism to operate in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The system activates the air extraction mechanism periodically to replenish vacuum pressure when it drops below a threshold, thereby maintaining reliable vacuum suction while significantly reducing battery energy consumption compared to continuous operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single hard layer seal is used, then the seal has high structural strength, but it cannot effectively fill gaps on irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum seal utilizes a composite structure with a softer elastomeric layer that can deform to fill gaps and conform to irregular surfaces, while incorporating a harder support layer that provides structural strength and shape retention. This composite design enables the seal to simultaneously achieve gap-filling adaptability and structural integrity
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 portable vacuum gripper ensures secure gripping of objects with irregular surfaces and extended operational capability by maintaining vacuum suction through energy-efficient means, enabling safe transportation and handling of various objects.
Implementation Method 1
The suction devices can include suction cups in which a partial vacuum, e.g., an air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, is produced to adhere the suction devices to the flat objects
Implementation Method 2
a partial vacuum, e.g., an air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, is produced to adhere the suction devices to the flat objects
Implementation Method 3
The vacuum gripper is configured with an elastic deformable vacuum seal for gripping objects with irregular surfaces, such as rough surfaces, or surfaces with steps, grooves, or bumps. The deformable vacuum seal can be compressible and stretchable to conform to the irregular surface of the objects
Implementation Method 4
a press rod can be used to press on top areas of the vacuum seal, at locations that the vacuum seal forms gaps with the object surface. With the press rod pressing on a top side of the vacuum seal, the bottom side of the vacuum seal can protrude to fill in the gaps
Implementation Method 5
an air extraction mechanism configured to remove air from a cavity between the object surface and the vacuum gripper
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum gripper for gripping an object surface using vacuum suction is configured to be portable or operated by a hoist. Battery conservation measures are included to provide a long term vacuum generation capability, together with manually rechargeable mechanism. A manually-operated vacuum pump is also integrated to the vacuum gripper as a safeguard for the battery-operated vacuum pump failure. The vacuum gripper includes an elastic deformable vacuum seal for gripping objects with irregular surfaces, together with press rods or pin array configured to assist the vacuum seal in filling any gaps between the vacuum seal and the object surface.