Vacuum Lifter With Rotatable Cylinder For Panel Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum lifters face challenges in precisely and gently connecting two panels, such as glass or wood, especially when subjected to shearing and torsional forces, which can lead to imprecision and risk of damage during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum lifter design featuring two suction cups with deformable discs and a rotatable cylinder mechanism, allowing for adjustable distance and orientation between the cups, enabling precise and gentle connection of panels through a threaded connection system and pivotable joints, along with a clamping device for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum lifter uses striking tools to connect panels with tongue and groove connections, then the panels can be held in place, but the connection precision is poor and there is risk of damaging the panels
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum lifter acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the panels. Instead of directly striking the panels with tools, the vacuum lifter holds both panels and allows their alignment through controlled movement, eliminating direct impact forces that cause damage and imprecision.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum lifter incorporates movable components including a movable suction cup, movable body, and extendable connection element. These dynamic features allow the device to adapt its configuration during the connection process, enabling precise alignment and gentle panel joining without rigid constraints.
2Device complexity
If the vacuum lifter is designed with fixed distance between suction cups, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different panel connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum lifter transforms from a static structure to a dynamic system with movable suction cups, movable body, and extendable connection elements. These dynamic features enable continuous adjustment of the distance and orientation between suction cups, allowing the device to adapt to various panel sizes, shapes, and connection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum lifter is divided into independent movable segments including the suction cups, body, and connection element. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, providing flexibility in positioning and configuring the device for different panel connection scenarios.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vacuum lifter uses rigid connection between suction cups, then the structure is stable, but it cannot accommodate shearing and torsional forces during panel assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum lifter replaces rigid connections with dynamic, movable connections. The movable suction cups and extendable connection elements can flex and adjust under shearing and torsional forces, maintaining structural integrity while accommodating the stresses of panel assembly operations.
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
Enables precise and gentle connection of panels, allowing for adjustable distance and orientation, reducing the risk of damage and improving handling efficiency, with the ability to connect panels in one plane or at right angles, supporting a force of up to 30 kg parallel to the adhesive surface.
Implementation Method 1
the suction cup being designed to have a partial vacuum-loaded cavity between the suction disc and the attachment surface
Implementation Method 2
a suction cup with a deformable suction disc, preferably made of an elastomer
Implementation Method 3
one axle having a right-hand thread and the other axle having a left-hand thread, these two axles Can be connected via a cylinder with an internal thread
Data Source
AI summary
Vacuum lifter for temporary fixing to a smooth, airtight mounting surface with a suction cup 1 to be placed on the mounting surface, wherein the vacuum lifter has at least two suction cups 1, wherein the two suction cups 1 each have an axle 2 with external thread, wherein one axle has a right-hand thread 5 and the other axle has a left-hand thread 5, wherein these two axles can be connected via a cylinder 6 with internal thread, wherein one half of the cylinder has an internal left-hand thread and the other half has an internal right-hand thread, and wherein one axle has at least at its free end two pins 8 in the longitudinal direction to the axle, and the other axle has at least two bores 9 at its free end into which the two pins 8 fit.