Vacuum Pick-Up System With Blocking Member For Pliable Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated manufacturing of soft goods, such as shoe uppers, faces challenges in precisely picking up and placing pliable items due to difficulties in controlling suction forces and electrostatic adhesion, leading to imprecise placement and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-based pick-up system with independently controllable suction zones and blocking mechanisms allows for precise control of suction forces, enabling precise placement of items by selectively actuating zones and interrupting suction forces during item relocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If vacuum force is used to pick up pliable items, then automated manufacturing is enabled, but precise control of suction forces is difficult leading to imprecise placement
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up system divides the suction surface into multiple independently controllable zones. Each zone can be selectively activated or deactivated to provide customized suction force distributions, enabling precise control over pliable item placement while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts suction forces by independently controlling each zone's vacuum activation. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt suction patterns to different item positions and requirements, achieving both automated manufacturing and precise placement control.
2Reliability
If suction force is increased to secure item pickup, then item retention is improved, but item disengagement becomes difficult causing operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the suction surface into independently controllable zones, the system can maintain strong suction (high vacuum) in zones where items need to be retained during transport, while quickly deactivating vacuum in zones where items need to be released, enabling rapid and clean disengagement without operational delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system selectively discards suction force in specific zones by deactivating vacuum in those areas, allowing items to be released precisely where needed. This selective discarding of suction enables rapid disengagement while maintaining retention in other zones during transport.
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 system achieves precise and efficient placement of pliable items by allowing customized suction forces and rapid disengagement, reducing misplacement and operational delays, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency in soft goods production.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum structure has been used in the past to apply a suction force to an item so that the item engages the structure and can be moved from one position to another
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for picking up and positioning an item includes a vacuum assembly capable of applying a suction force to the item. The apparatus further includes an item engaging plate positioned adjacent the vacuum assembly. The apparatus still further has a blocking member positioned adjacent the vacuum assembly. The blocking member is capable of interrupting the suction force. The blocking member is positionable in a first position allowing the item to be picked up and in a second position interrupting the suction force to assist disengagement of the item.