Vacuum Pad Device Ball Joint Piston Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum pad devices struggle to maintain the orientation of a suction pad relative to the object during transport, leading to difficulties in precise and safe handling of objects with inclined surfaces, as the suction pad can rotate undesirably under the load of the object, potentially causing detachment.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum pad device with a rotatable pad unit and a piston mechanism that controls the rotation of the pad unit using compressed air, maintaining the desired angle and preventing unwanted rotation during transport, integrated with a compact vacuum pump for efficient object handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suction pad is fixed to the end of the rigid body such that the axis of the suction pad is parallel to the axis of the rigid body, then the structure is simple and stable, but the suction pad cannot directly cope with the inclined surface of the object
Solution Approach 1:
The suction pad is made rotatable relative to the rigid body through a ball joint mechanism, allowing dynamic adjustment of the suction pad's orientation to match inclined surfaces of objects. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to various surface angles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the suction pad is rotatably coupled to the rigid body by the bellows pipe or the ball joint, then the suction pad can freely rotate with respect to the rigid body to cope with inclined surfaces, but the suction pad rotates when lifting the object, making precise and safe transportation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A counterbalancing weight is introduced to offset the rotational moment caused by the load on the suction pad. This preliminary counter-action prevents the suction pad from rotating undesirably when lifting and transporting objects, thereby maintaining transportation stability while preserving the ability to adapt to inclined surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the suction pad is rotatably coupled to the rigid body by the bellows pipe or the ball joint, then the suction pad can immediately cope with even an inclined surface of the object, but the object may become detached from the suction pad because of the load of the object and the rotational force applied thereto
Solution Approach 1:
The counterbalancing weight is positioned and sized to compensate for the rotational force generated by the object's load. This preliminary counter-action prevents excessive rotation that would otherwise reduce the normal force between the suction pad and the object, thereby preventing detachment and maintaining holding strength while adapting to inclined surfaces.
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 safe transportation of objects with inclined surfaces by maintaining the orientation of the suction pad relative to the housing, preventing detachment and ensuring stable transport through controlled rotation and frictional force management.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum transport systems form negative pressure in a pad device using a vacuum pump which uses compressed air
Implementation Method 2
air which has been in the suction pad is drawn into the vacuum pump
Implementation Method 3
a ball of the ball joint is seated into the mounting seat of the housing so that the pad unit is rotatably coupled to the housing
Implementation Method 4
a piston installed in the housing to control rotation of the pad unit
Implementation Method 5
the orientation of the suction pad relative to the housing can be maintained... through controlled rotation and frictional force management
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vacuum pad device used in a vacuum transport system. The pad device includes a housing, a pad unit connected to the housing through a ball joint such that the pad unit is rotatable, and a piston arranged in the housing and controlling the rotation of the pad unit. The pad unit is bonded to an object at a desirable rotation angle, and controlled such that the rotation angle is fixed by the movement of a piston operating via compressed air. Consequently, the object can be transported in an accurate and safe manner. Preferably, the vacuum pad device of the present invention further includes a vacuum pump arranged in the housing unit the piston.