Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Contact lens applicator
Patent
1990-05-29
1991-11-19
Focarino, Margaret A.
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Contact lens applicator
294 643, 901 30, 901 40, B66C 102
Patent
active
050660586
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a pneumatic gripper more particularly designed for use on an automaton or robot.
The grippers normally used on robots are mechanisms in the form of grabs having at least two articulated fingers. The gripping of an object takes place by bringing each of the fingers into contact with said object and by applying thereto an adequate force to permit its handling.
Such grippers constitute a satisfactory solution when it is wished to transport a non-fragile object. Thus, they then have the advantage of allowing objects with an often considerable weight to be gripped. Moreover, they make it possible to apply a force to said object when this is necessary, e.g. for putting it into place.
However, these known grippers suffer from numerous disadvantages. Firstly, when the grasped object is fragile, its gripping by a grab-like gripper may lead to its deformation. Moreover, before gripping an object, it is necessary to accurately position the gripper with respect thereto. Furthermore, articulated grippers are complex equipment having wearing parts, whilst also being relatively heavy and onerous.
The invention specifically relates to a gripper for transporting fragile objects without any crushing risk, said gripper not having to be accurately positioned with respect to the objects to be seized and having a particularly simple and inexpensive design, because it has no moving parts.
According to the invention, this result is obtained by means of a pneumatic gripper, characterized in that it comprises an approximately U-shaped support, whereof one end branch carries an ejection nozzle connected to a compressed air source, the nozzle being oriented towards the intermediate branch of the support, in the vicinity of a bend connecting said intermediate branch to the other end branch of the support, the latter being shaped in such a way as to channel the compressed air ejected by the nozzle towards the end of the other end branch.
In such a pneumatic gripper, the grasping of an object is brought about by means of the pressure differences created by the compressed air jet leaving the nozzle. Thus, such a gripper makes it possible to transport objects having a limited weight without damaging them when they are fragile. Moreover, the gripper does not have to be accurately positioned with respect to the object to be grasped, because the latter is automatically attracted when the compressed air intake is open. Finally, it has no moving parts, so that it cannot become worn out and is also light, inexpensive and self-cleaning, because the compressed air jet ensuring the necessary gripping automatically cleans the active surface of the support.
Preferably, the support has a plate which is laterally defined, on its face turned towards the interior of the U and on either side of the bend, by two rails for guiding the compressed air ejected by the nozzle.
An embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative to the drawings, wherein show:
FIG. 1 A perspective view of a pneumatic gripper according to the invention.
FIGS. 2a & 2b Side views of the gripper of FIG. 1 respectively illustrating the approach of the object to be grasped by the gripper and the actuation of the latter permitting the holding of said object.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pneumatic gripper according to the invention has an approximately U-shaped, rigid support 10, which can e.g. be mounted on the end of the articulated arm of an automaton or robot. The support 10 is constituted by a rectangular plate, e.g. made from metal or a plastics material and whose ends are bent at approximately 90.degree. with respect to the central part 10a of the plate, in order to form two end branches 10b and 10c.
The end branch 10b of the support 10 carries an ejection nozzle 12 connected by a flexible pipe 14 to a compressed air source 16. The ejection nozzle 12 has a threaded portion 12a, which traverses a hole formed in the centre of the branch 10b of the support and it is fixed to said branch by a nut 18 screwed onto the threaded por
REFERENCES:
patent: 3539216 (1970-11-01), Forcier
patent: 4002254 (1977-01-01), Olofsen
patent: 4502721 (1985-03-01), Savin-Czeizler et al.
Cogema Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nuclearies
Focarino Margaret A.
Kramer Dean
LandOfFree
Pneumatic gripper does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pneumatic gripper, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pneumatic gripper will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1365725