Vacuum Gripper Slide-In Element for Leakage Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface suction grippers face challenges in quickly adapting to different objects due to sluggish flow behavior of valve bodies, which can lead to leakage and object detachment during handling, especially when dealing with uneven surfaces and varying object sizes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a slide-in element that reduces the vacuum chamber volume, allowing for improved response behavior and enabling the use of sluggishly closing flow valves, along with modular design and integrated features like vacuum channels, lighting, and compressed air channels, enhances the gripper's adaptability and safety during object lifting and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If flow valves are designed to close quickly, then response speed is improved, but the risk of false closing during lifting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber is segmented into a smaller effective volume by the slide-in element, creating distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows the flow valve to respond more reliably to actual leakage conditions without false triggering during normal lifting operations, as the reduced chamber volume provides better localized control over vacuum distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the vacuum chamber volume by introducing a slide-in element that reduces the effective chamber size. This parameter change enables the flow valve to operate more reliably by adjusting the vacuum dynamics, allowing quicker response to leakage while preventing false closing during lifting by modifying the pressure distribution characteristics.
2Quantity of substance
If a large vacuum chamber is used, then suction capacity is improved, but response time to leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large vacuum chamber is effectively segmented into a smaller active vacuum zone using the slide-in element. This segmentation maintains the overall suction capacity by preserving the external vacuum interface while creating a smaller internal volume that responds more quickly to leakage conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between capacity and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide-in element acts as an intermediary component between the large vacuum chamber and the suction openings. It mediates the vacuum distribution by reducing the effective chamber volume that needs to be evacuated, thereby maintaining suction capacity while improving response time to leakage without requiring a complete redesign of the vacuum system.
3Device complexity
If conventional surface suction pads are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different objects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The slide-in element introduces a dynamic, adjustable component into the otherwise simple suction pad structure. This element can be moved or adjusted to adapt to different object geometries and suction requirements, significantly improving versatility while adding only minimal complexity to the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimensional aspect to the simple suction pad by incorporating the slide-in element that can alter the vacuum chamber configuration. This dimensional change enables the device to adapt to various object types and sizes while maintaining the fundamental simplicity of the base structure, effectively resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
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
This design ensures secure lifting and transportation of objects with minimal volume flow usage, reduces the risk of leakage, and allows for easy adaptation to different applications, while maintaining efficient vacuum performance and effective dirt removal.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber that can be subjected to negative pressure is provided
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum chamber that can be subjected to negative pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an area vacuum gripper (10) for sucking and handling workpieces, comprising a housing (12), in which a negative pressure vacuum chamber is provided that can be subjected to negative pressure and wherein the housing (12) comprises on the suction side, facing the workpiece, suction openings (28). According to the invention, an insertion element (22) is provided in the housing, which reduces the free inner space of the housing and comprises vacuum channels (24) fed by a vacuum generator (38). The insertion element (22) can be equipped with a plurality of optional functions.