Workpiece Gripping Device with Slit and Positioning Pin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional workpiece gripping devices are unable to effectively grip workpieces with various shapes, including plate-shaped members, limiting their versatility and functionality in automated production processes.

Innovation Solution

A workpiece gripping device with a gripping body part that includes a slit for inserting plate-shaped parts and a positioning mechanism with a movable positioning pin and actuator, along with a stabilizer and pressing member, allows for precise positioning and stable gripping of workpieces with different shapes, enabling automatic transportation by robots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional workpiece gripping device is used, then it can grip workpieces with various sizes, but it cannot grip workpieces with various shapes including plate-shaped members

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to grip various shapesVSAvoidgripping device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping device employs movable arm parts that can change their configuration dynamically. The arm parts can move relative to each other to adapt to different workpiece shapes, transforming the device from a static to a dynamic structure that accommodates various geometries including plate-shaped members

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping device is divided into multiple independent arm parts that can move and position themselves separately. This segmentation allows each arm part to independently adapt to different portions of the workpiece, enabling the device to handle various shapes effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If workpieces are placed while overlapping each other, then space utilization is improved, but it becomes difficult to insert the gripping device between them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of workpiecesVSAvoidinsertion between overlapping workpieces
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arm parts are designed with movable joints that allow them to flex and navigate through tight spaces. When workpieces are overlapping, the arm parts can dynamically adjust their angles and positions to insert between the workpieces, maintaining the ability to grip even in densely packed arrangements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The arm parts can be reconfigured to nest within each other or fold into compact arrangements, allowing the gripping device to reduce its overall size and insert into the limited spaces between overlapping workpieces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a simple gripping structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision of the workpiece deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping structureVSAvoidworkpiece positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping device incorporates localized positioning features at specific points on the arm parts. These localized elements provide precise positioning functionality without requiring the entire structure to be complex, achieving high positioning precision through targeted local features rather than overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3625002B1Workpiece gripping device
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 SMC CORP
  • EP3625002B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3625002B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3625002B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A workpiece gripping device (10) includes a gripping body part (14) that includes a slit (25) into which a plate-shaped part (Wp) of a workpiece (W) can be inserted; and a positioning mechanism (16) that includes an engagement part (28) that is structured to be engaged with the plate-shaped part (Wp) of the workpiece (W) in the slit (25) of the gripping body part (14), in order to position the workpiece (W).