Vacuum-Actuated Handling Device With Nested Piston and Spring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum-actuated prehensile devices are complex, expensive, and prone to reliability issues due to precise mechanical components that wear out quickly, leading to reduced operational efficiency and shortened device lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A simplified vacuum-actuated handling device design featuring a coaxially connected hollow body, guide cylinder, piston, and return spring, with a pneumatic suction mechanism that induces piston movement and activates/deactivates the sucker, allowing for easier assembly and reduced bulk, using aluminum or alloy components for the body and rod, and thermoplastic materials for the flanges and guide cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum-actuated prehensile device is designed with precise mechanical components to ensure functionality, then the device can perform gripping and transferring actions, but the device becomes complex and expensive to realize, and the components are subjected to wear leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a body, a guide cylinder, a piston, a rod, and a return spring. Each component performs a specific function, allowing for easier manufacturing and assembly while reducing overall complexity. The segmentation enables independent optimization of each part's design and material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with a simpler pneumatic system. The vacuum pump creates negative pressure to move the piston, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuators. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts and decreases wear between components.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical operations are used to execute components with extreme dimensional tolerances, then the device can achieve precise functionality, but the manufacturing cost increases and the components wear out quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach by moving from precision mechanical machining to injection molding for the body and guide cylinder. This parameter change in the manufacturing process allows for easier production with standard tolerances, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining sufficient functionality. The material selection (aluminum or alloy for body, thermoplastic for guide cylinder) supports this manufacturing approach.
3Device complexity
If a single body design with integrated chamber is used, then the device structure is simplified, but the device bulk is not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The guide cylinder is nested within the body, and the piston is nested within the guide cylinder. This nested arrangement allows the components to occupy overlapping spaces, minimizing the overall device bulk while maintaining structural simplicity. The coaxial arrangement of components further reduces the volume required for the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes coaxial arrangement of components along the axial dimension, allowing multiple functions to be integrated in a compact footprint. The annular compartment and axial chamber are arranged concentrically, efficient use of three-dimensional space to minimize device bulk while maintaining simplicity.
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 results in a more affordable, efficient, and durable handling device with improved functionality and extended lifespan, minimizing bulk while maintaining performance, by simplifying the design and using cost-effective materials.
Implementation Method 1
means for applying a pneumatic suction to the annular compartment and the axial chamber in said guide cylinder to induce in succession, firstly the movement of the piston from the rearward position to the forward position
Implementation Method 2
a pressure difference between two opposite faces of a piston working in a cylinder would induce the piston to axially move between an inactive position and an active position
Implementation Method 3
a return spring connected to said rod and aiming to maintain the piston in said rearward position
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum—actuated handling device including, in the inner space (12) of a hollow body (11) with closed ends, a guide cylinder (13) defining an axial chamber (26) and, with the inner space, an annular compartment (25). In the chamber (26) a piston (14) movable between a rearward position adjacent to a first end and a forward position adjacent to a second end of said body (11) is accommodated. The piston is provided with an axially pierced rod (15), emerging from the second end of the body, carrying a gripping end sucker (27) and it is connected to a return spring (23) aiming to move the piston (14) to the rearward position. The piston (14) divides the chamber (26) in a first part of the chamber (a) adjacent to the first end and a second part of the chamber (b) on the side of said piston rod (15).