Reconfigurable Vacuum Gripper for Clean Optical Element Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manual assembly of large-aperture optical elements is inefficient, lacks precision, and fails to maintain surface cleanliness, impacting the performance of complex optical systems.
Innovation Solution
An automated grasping apparatus with a reconfigurable end effector, robot arm, code scanning recognizer, task management software, and electrical auxiliary support system, which uses vacuum suction and micro video tracking for precise and clean assembly of optical elements of varying diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual assembly is used for large-aperture optical elements, then flexibility in handling is maintained, but assembly precision and surface cleanliness cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robot arm system that uses vacuum suction for grasping optical elements. The robot arm executes precise positioning and assembly operations under computer control, eliminating manual contact and ensuring consistent assembly precision while maintaining surface cleanliness through contactless handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic identification through code scanning, automated grasping through vacuum suction, and computer-controlled robot arm operation. The apparatus autonomously performs the complete assembly sequence without human intervention, with the computer coordinating all operations based on scanned optical element specifications.
2Productivity
If manual handling is used throughout the assembly process, then equipment complexity is minimized, but work efficiency and assembly consistency are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robot arm system that uses vacuum suction for grasping optical elements. The robot arm executes precise positioning and assembly operations under computer control, eliminating manual contact and ensuring consistent assembly precision while maintaining surface cleanliness through contactless handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic identification through code scanning, automated grasping through vacuum suction, and computer-controlled robot arm operation. The apparatus autonomously performs the complete assembly sequence without human intervention, with the computer coordinating all operations based on scanned optical element specifications.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual assembly operations are performed, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but surface cleanliness of optical elements cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vacuum suction field as an intermediary between the gripper and the optical element surface. This non-contact vacuum field enables secure grasping and transport without physical contact that could contaminate the optical surface, thereby eliminating the harmful factor of surface contamination while using a relatively simple vacuum generation device.
4Adaptability or versatility
If automated assembly is implemented, then assembly precision and cleanliness are improved, but the system requires reconfigurability to handle different optical element diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically reconfigurable vacuum gripper where the arrangement of vacuum suction holes can be adjusted according to the diameter of different optical elements. The computer controls this reconfiguration based on specifications read from scanned codes, enabling the same apparatus to adaptively handle various sizes without requiring multiple dedicated fixtures, thus achieving versatility with moderate additional complexity.
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
Significantly improves assembly accuracy and efficiency, reduces surface contamination, and enhances the performance of large-aperture optical systems by minimizing human contact and ensuring consistent, precise handling.
Implementation Method 1
a reconfigurable end effector arranged for generating a vacuum suction force
Data Source
AI summary
An automated grasping apparatus for precise and clean assembly of a large-aperture optical element includes a reconfigurable end effector, a manipulating robot arm, a computer control unit, a task management software and process database system, a code scanning recognizer, and an electrical auxiliary support system. During an assembling operation, a code of the optical element is scanned by the code scanning recognizer, wherein a suitable process for the optical element is retrieved automatically. The configuration of the end effector is adjusted according to an instruction flow that precision grasping and stable suction of the optical element are achieved by manipulating the end effector. The robot arm is moved to place the optical element at a designated station, and the robot arm carries the end effector to return to an original position after the assembly operation is completed.