Vacuum Pad Cover Mechanism for Bellows Swing Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum pads with bellows experience violent swinging during high-speed transportation due to large accelerations or decelerations, leading to deformation and instability.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum pad swing prevention mechanism featuring a cover body with adjustable attachment to the vacuum pad, covering the bellows when contracted to prevent deformation and swinging, and an extension plate for additional support and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bellows is used to enable the vacuum pad to follow various workpiece shapes, then adaptability is improved, but the bellows swings violently during high-speed transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to follow workpiece shapesVSAvoidbellows stability during transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows is nested inside the cover body, which provides a stable outer structure. The cover body acts as a protective shell that contains the flexible bellows, allowing the bellows to adapt to workpiece shapes while the cover body prevents violent swinging during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows is designed as a flexible component that can deform to match various workpiece shapes, while the rigid cover body provides structural stability. This combination allows the system to achieve both adaptability through the flexible bellows and stability through the rigid cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cover body is fixed to the vacuum pad, then swing prevention is improved, but adjustability of attaching position is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebellows swing preventionVSAvoidattaching position adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attaching mechanism transitions from a fixed state to an adjustable state. The cover body can be positioned at different locations along the vacuum pad and secured, providing both stability when attached and adaptability when repositioning is needed. This dynamic attachment system resolves the contradiction between fixed stability and adjustable versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively prevents bellows deformation and swinging during high-speed transportation by covering the bellows with a cover body and providing adjustable attachment, ensuring stable workpiece holding.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pad that generates negative pressure inside a bellows and that holds a workpiece by suction at an open end of the bellows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the cover body covers the outside of the bellows when the bellows contracts and holds a workpiece by suction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12508724B2Vacuum pad swing prevention mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 SMC CORP

AI summary

A vacuum pad includes a support member that includes a vacuum passage and a bellows that is attached to the support member, and the cover body includes a cylindrical body portion, an attaching portion projecting from one end of the body portion, and a flange portion projecting radially outward from another end of the body portion. The cover body covers the outside of the bellows when the bellows contracts and holds a workpiece by suction.