阅读说明：本技术 通用真空吸盘和提升物体的方法 (Universal vacuum chuck and method of lifting an object ) 是由 H·M·蔡 W·M·金 D·黄 于 2020-10-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种真空吸盘组件和提升物体的方法。所述真空吸盘组件包括吸盘结构,所述吸盘结构限定位于近端处的开口、位于远端处的凹部以及位于所述近端与所述远端之间的空腔区域,其中所述空腔区域包括至少一个空腔。开口与凹部和空腔区域流体连通。内部结构设置在空腔区域中。内部结构被构造成当负压通过吸盘结构中的开口施加到空腔区域时将吸盘结构保持在夹紧位置中。吸盘结构被构造成在负压不被施加到空腔区域的情况下处于静止位置。真空吸盘组件在静止位置中具有第一形状,并且在夹紧位置中具有第二形状。(A vacuum chuck assembly and method of lifting an object are provided. The vacuum chuck assembly includes a chuck structure defining an opening at a proximal end, a recess at a distal end, and a cavity region between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the cavity region includes at least one cavity. The opening is in fluid communication with the recess and the cavity region. The internal structure is disposed in the cavity region. The internal structure is configured to hold the suction cup structure in the clamped position when negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the suction cup structure. The suction cup structure is configured to be in a rest position without negative pressure being applied to the cavity area. The vacuum chuck assembly has a first shape in the rest position and a second shape in the clamping position.)

1. A vacuum chuck assembly, comprising:

a suction cup structure defining an opening at a proximal end and a recess at a distal end, the suction cup structure defining a cavity region between the proximal end and the distal end, the cavity region including at least one cavity, the opening being in fluid communication with the recess and with the cavity region; and

a plurality of internal structures disposed in the cavity region, the plurality of internal structures configured to hold the suction cup structure in a clamped position when at least a predetermined negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the suction cup structure, the suction cup structure configured to be in a rest position with the predetermined negative pressure not applied to the cavity region of the suction cup structure, the vacuum cup assembly having a first shape in the rest position and a second shape in the clamped position, the first shape being different from the second shape.

2. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of internal structures comprises a first layer and a second layer.

3. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 2, wherein the chuck structure is formed of a first material that is flexible and the first and second layers are formed of a second material that is harder than the first material, the vacuum chuck assembly having a first stiffness in the rest position and a second stiffness in the clamped position, the second stiffness being greater than the first stiffness.

4. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 3, further comprising a flexible layer formed from the first material, the flexible layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer in the cavity region.

5. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 4, the flexible layer dividing the cavity area into a first cavity and a second cavity, the first layer disposed in the first cavity and the second layer disposed in the second cavity.

6. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 5, the first layer defining a first hole through a center of the first layer, the second layer defining a second hole through a center of the second layer, and the flexible layer defining a third hole through a center of the flexible layer, the first, second, and third holes cooperating to form a channel connecting the opening to the recess.

7. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 4, wherein in the rest position, at least one of the first layer and the second layer and the flexible layer define an air gap therebetween, the air gap being closed in the clamped position.

8. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 7, the clamping position being a first clamping position, the first layer and the second layer being movable into a plurality of shapes to form a plurality of additional clamping positions.

9. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 7, the first material being rubber.

10. The vacuum chuck assembly of claim 9, the second material being plastic.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum chuck assembly for lifting an object and a method of lifting an object using the same.

Background

Vacuum chucks may be used to lift objects in automobile assembly plants. Typical designs include flat vacuum chucks formed of rigid materials and bellows-type vacuum chucks that include flexible, accordion-type ends.

Because of its rigidity, flat vacuum chucks can only work with flat objects that can form a seal with them in order to apply vacuum pressure. Furthermore, due to their inflexibility, different flat vacuum chucks may be required for different objects. In other applications, the handling system for automotive components must be reconfigured for different component handling by adjusting the angle of the vacuum cup connector. Thus, at least portions of the lift system need to be reconfigured to accommodate objects having different geometries.

Bellows vacuum chucks have greater flexibility than flat vacuum chucks. However, the internal components of the bellows vacuum chuck may damage the object being lifted because the bellows are flexible and the rigid internal components of the bellows vacuum chuck may be pressed into the object without the bellows portion providing any protection.

Due to the shortcomings of existing vacuum chucks, other systems for lifting objects may be used in place of vacuum chucks, thereby increasing cost and complexity. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved lift system that does not significantly increase cost and complexity.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides an intelligent universal vacuum chuck that uses a layer extrusion concept to change the stiffness of the vacuum chuck. The internal structures are disposed in one or more cavities within the vacuum chuck and are compressed together when negative pressure is applied to the one or more cavities, which increases the rigidity of the vacuum and its ability to grip objects and/or increases the force to lock the position of the chuck. Thus, the internal structure is flexible in an initial position in which no negative pressure is applied, and the vacuum cup assembly including the internal structure becomes stiffer and conforms to the object being lifted when negative pressure is applied.

In one form, which may be combined with or separate from other forms disclosed herein, there is provided a vacuum chuck assembly comprising a chuck structure defining an opening at a proximal end and a recess at a distal end. The suction cup structure defines a cavity region between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the cavity region includes at least one cavity. The opening is in fluid communication with the recess and the cavity region. A plurality of internal structures are disposed in the cavity region. The plurality of internal structures are configured to maintain the suction cup structure in the clamped position when at least a predetermined negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the suction cup structure. The suction cup structure is configured to be in a rest position without the predetermined negative pressure being applied to the cavity region of the suction cup structure. The vacuum chuck assembly has a first shape in the rest position and a second shape in the clamping position, the first shape being different from the second shape.

In another form, which may be combined with or separate from the other forms disclosed herein, a method of lifting an object is provided. The method includes providing a vacuum chuck assembly, wherein the vacuum chuck assembly includes a chuck structure defining an opening at a proximal end and a recess at a distal end. The suction cup structure defines a cavity region between the proximal end and the distal end, the cavity region defining at least one cavity. The opening is in fluid communication with the recess and the cavity region. A plurality of internal structures are disposed in the cavity region. The method further comprises placing a distal end of the vacuum chuck assembly in contact with the object to at least partially enclose a recess between the vacuum chuck assembly and the object in an initial position of the vacuum chuck assembly. The method includes applying a predetermined negative pressure into the cavity region and into the recess through the opening to conform the vacuum chuck assembly to the object and to hold the object in a clamped position of the vacuum chuck assembly.

Additional features may be provided, including but not limited to the following: wherein the plurality of internal structures comprises a first layer and a second layer; wherein the suction cup structure is formed from a first material; the first material is flexible; wherein the first layer and the second layer are formed of a second material; the second material is harder than the first material; the vacuum chuck assembly has a first stiffness in the rest position and a second stiffness in the grip position; the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness; the vacuum chuck assembly further comprises a flexible layer formed from the first material; the flexible layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer in the cavity region; the flexible layer divides the cavity region into a first cavity in which the first layer is disposed and a second cavity in which the second layer is disposed; the first layer defines a first aperture through a center of the first layer; the second layer defines a second aperture through a center of the second layer; the flexible layer defines a third aperture through a center of the flexible layer; the first, second and third apertures cooperating to form a channel connecting the opening to the recess; in a rest position, the flexible layer and at least one of the first layer and the second layer define an air gap therebetween; the air gap is closed in the clamped position; the first and second layers are movable into a plurality of shapes to form a plurality of additional gripping locations; the first material is rubber; the second material is a plastic; the suction cup structure having a frustoconical inner surface defining the recess; each of the first layer and the second layer having a frustoconical body portion and a plurality of legs extending from the frustoconical body portion; and/or wherein the plurality of internal structures comprise a plurality of granular bodies.

Additional features may optionally be provided, including but not limited to the following: wherein the step of applying negative pressure comprises increasing the stiffness of the vacuum chuck assembly; the method comprises providing an air gap between the flexible layer and at least one of the first and second layers in an initial position, and closing the air gap in a clamped position; the method further comprises providing the vacuum chuck assembly to be reconfigurable into a plurality of additional gripping positions based on corresponding shapes of a plurality of additional objects; and/or the step of applying negative pressure further comprises moving the granular body within the cavity region to conform the suction cup structure to the shape of the object.

The invention also comprises the following technical scheme:

technical scheme 1. a vacuum chuck subassembly includes:

a suction cup structure defining an opening at a proximal end and a recess at a distal end, the suction cup structure defining a cavity region between the proximal end and the distal end, the cavity region including at least one cavity, the opening being in fluid communication with the recess and with the cavity region; and

a plurality of internal structures disposed in the cavity region, the plurality of internal structures configured to hold the suction cup structure in a clamped position when at least a predetermined negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the suction cup structure, the suction cup structure configured to be in a rest position with the predetermined negative pressure not applied to the cavity region of the suction cup structure, the vacuum cup assembly having a first shape in the rest position and a second shape in the clamped position, the first shape being different from the second shape.

Technical solution 2 the vacuum chuck assembly according to technical solution 1, wherein the plurality of internal structures include a first layer and a second layer.

Solution 3. the vacuum chuck assembly of solution 2, wherein the chuck structure is formed of a first material that is flexible and the first and second layers are formed of a second material that is harder than the first material, the vacuum chuck assembly having a first stiffness in the rest position and a second stiffness in the clamped position, the second stiffness being greater than the first stiffness.

Claim 4. the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 3, further comprising a flexible layer formed from the first material, the flexible layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer in the cavity region.

Technical solution 5. according to the vacuum chuck assembly of the technical solution 4, the flexible layer divides the cavity area into a first cavity and a second cavity, the first layer is disposed in the first cavity, and the second layer is disposed in the second cavity.

Claim 6 the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 5, the first layer defining a first hole through a center of the first layer, the second layer defining a second hole through a center of the second layer, and the flexible layer defining a third hole through a center of the flexible layer, the first hole, the second hole, and the third hole cooperating to form a channel connecting the opening to the recess.

Claim 7. the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 4, wherein in the rest position at least one of the first layer and the second layer and the flexible layer define an air gap therebetween, the air gap being closed in the clamped position.

Claim 8 the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 7, wherein the clamping position is a first clamping position, and the first layer and the second layer are capable of moving into a plurality of shapes to form a plurality of additional clamping positions.

Claim 9. according to the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 7, the first material is rubber.

Claim 10. the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 9, wherein the second material is plastic.

Claim 11 the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 7, wherein the chuck structure has a frustoconical inner surface defining the recess.

Claim 12 the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 11, each of the first layer and the second layer having a frustoconical body portion and a plurality of legs extending from the frustoconical body portion.

Claim 13 the vacuum chuck assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of internal structures comprise a plurality of granular bodies.

A method of lifting an object, the method comprising:

providing a vacuum chuck assembly, the vacuum chuck assembly comprising:

a suction cup structure defining an opening at a proximal end and a recess at a distal end, the suction cup structure defining a cavity region between the proximal end and the distal end, the cavity region defining at least one cavity, the opening being in fluid communication with the recess and with the cavity region; and

a plurality of internal structures disposed in the cavity region;

disposing the distal end of the vacuum chuck assembly in contact with the object to at least partially enclose the recess between the vacuum chuck assembly and the object in an initial position of the vacuum chuck assembly; and

applying a predetermined negative pressure into the cavity region through the opening and into the recess to conform the vacuum chuck assembly to the object and to hold the object in a clamped position of the vacuum chuck assembly.

The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

providing the plurality of internal structures to include a first layer and a second layer;

providing the sucker structure to be formed from a first material, the first material being flexible; and

providing the first layer and the second layer to be formed of a second material that is harder than the first material,

wherein the step of applying the predetermined negative pressure comprises: increasing the rigidity of the vacuum chuck assembly.

The method according to claim 15, further comprising: providing the vacuum chuck assembly with a flexible layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer in the cavity region, the flexible layer being formed from the first material.

The method according to claim 16, further comprising: providing the first layer as defining a first aperture through a center of the first layer, providing the second layer as defining a second aperture through a center of the second layer, and providing the flexible layer as defining a third aperture through a center of the flexible layer, the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture cooperating to form a channel connecting the opening to the recess.

The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

providing an air gap between the flexible layer and at least one of the first and second layers in the initial position; and

closing the air gap in the clamped position.

The method of claim 18, wherein the clamping position is a first clamping position, the method further comprising: the vacuum chuck assembly is provided to be reconfigurable into a plurality of additional clamping positions based on corresponding shapes of a plurality of additional objects.

The method according to claim 14, further comprising: providing the plurality of internal structures as a plurality of granular bodies, the step of applying the negative pressure further comprising: moving the granular body within the cavity region to conform the suction cup structure to the shape of the object.

Further aspects, advantages and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

The drawings herein are schematic in nature and are not necessarily to scale or to represent distances or relationships between illustrated elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum chuck assembly in a rest position according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the vacuum cup assembly of FIG. 1 in a rest position according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum chuck assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a rest position, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the vacuum cup assembly of FIGS. 1-3 in a rest position according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a suction cup structure of the vacuum cup assembly of FIGS. 1-4, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the first and second layers of the vacuum chuck assembly of FIGS. 1-4, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the vacuum cup assembly of FIGS. 1-4 applied to a hoisted object in a clamped position according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a method of lifting an object according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another variation of a vacuum chuck assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, a universal vacuum chuck assembly is provided and is generally designated 10. The vacuum chuck assembly 10 includes a chuck structure 12, the chuck structure 12 being formed of a first material that is a flexible material, such as rubber. The suction cup structure 12 has an outer surface 14 and an inner surface 16. The proximal end 18 of the suction cup structure 12 is configured to be connected to a hose 20 (shown in FIG. 6), such as by a threaded fitting 22, to apply vacuum pressure or negative pressure through the vacuum cup assembly 10, as will be described in further detail below. Proximal end 18 defines an opening 23 that is connected to hose 20.

The inner surface 16 of the suction cup structure 12 has an outer side 25 that is frustoconical and defines a recess 24 at a distal end 26 of the suction cup structure 12. In the alternative, the suction cup structure 12 may have other different shapes and surfaces without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The outer surface 14 may have a step 28.

The suction cup surface 12 defines a cavity region 30 defined between the proximal end 18 and the distal end 26 by an inner side 32 of the inner surface 16 and an inner side 34 of the outer surface 14. The cavity region 30 includes at least one cavity. In this example, a flexible layer 36 is included that divides the cavity region 30 into a first cavity 38 and a second cavity 40. The flexible layer 36 may be formed integrally with the suction cup structure 12 from the same material as the suction cup structure 12, the flexible layer 36 may be attached to the suction cup structure 12, or the flexible layer 36 may be a separate piece that is disconnected from the suction cup structure 12. The flexible layer 36 is preferably formed from a flexible material such as rubber, but the flexible layer 36 need not be formed from the same material as the sucker structure 12. The cavity area 30 is in fluid communication with the opening 23 and the recess 24.

A plurality of internal structures are disposed in the cavity region 30. In the example of fig. 1-6, the plurality of internal structures includes at least a first layer 42 and a second layer 44. The flexible layer 36 (if included) is disposed between the first layer 42 and the second layer 44 in the cavity region 30. The first layer 42 is disposed in the first cavity 38 and the second layer 44 is disposed in the second cavity 40. Although two layers 42, 44 are shown, additional layers may be present if desired. For example, three, four, five, or more layers may be used.

The first layer 42 defines a first aperture 46 through the center of the first layer 42 and the second layer 44 defines a second aperture 48 through the center of the second layer 44. Further, the flexible layer 36 defines a third aperture 50 through the center of the flexible layer 36. The first, second, and third holes 46, 48, 50 cooperate to form a channel 52 that connects the opening 23 to the recess 24. In the rest position of the vacuum chuck assembly 10, at least one of the first layer 42 and the second layer 44 defines an air gap g with the flexible layer 36 therebetween. In this example, an air gap g is defined between the flexible layer 36 and the first layer 42, but it should be understood that the air gap g may alternatively be defined between the flexible layer 36 and the second layer 44, or that an air gap g may exist between the flexible layer 36 and both the first layer 42 and the second layer 44.

In the example shown, each of the first and second layers 42, 44 includes a frustoconical body portion 54 and a plurality of legs 56 extending from the frustoconical body portion 54, however, it should be understood that various other shapes and configurations of the first and second layers 42, 44 may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The first layer 42 and the second layer 44 may be the same, as shown, or they may be different from each other.

The first layer 42 and the second layer 44 are formed of a second material that may be harder than the first material forming the suction cup structure 12. For example, the second material may be a plastic (e.g., a thermoplastic) or a rubber that is harder than the rubber of the suction cup structure 12. When the vacuum chuck assembly 10 is in the initial or rest position, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, an air gap g exists between the first layer 42 and the second layer 44, or at least the first layer 42 and the second layer 44 are not pressed together. The first layer 42 and the second layer 44 have some flexibility, like the suction cup structure 12 itself, due to the substantial absence of pressure applied to the cavity area 30.

Referring now to fig. 6 and 7, and with continued reference to fig. 1-4, a method 100 of lifting an object 58 is illustrated in block diagram. The method 100 includes a step 102 of providing a vacuum chuck assembly, such as the vacuum chuck assembly 10 described above. The method 100 includes the following steps 104: the distal end 26 of the vacuum chuck assembly 10 is placed in contact with the object 58 to at least partially enclose the recess 24 between the vacuum chuck assembly 10 and the object 58 in the initial or rest position of the vacuum chuck assembly 10. Thus, the recess 24 enables the vacuum chuck assembly 10 to create a suction force with the object 58.

The method 100 further comprises the following step 106: a predetermined negative pressure is applied through the opening 23 into the cavity area 30 and into the recess 24 to conform the vacuum chuck assembly 10 to the object 58 and to hold the object 58 in the clamped position of the vacuum chuck assembly 10. For example, referring to FIG. 6, when negative pressure is applied through the hose 20 into the cavity area 30 and the recess 24 of the vacuum chuck assembly 10, the vacuum chuck assembly 10 is in a clamped position and has conformed to the circular shape of the object 58.

The plurality of internal structures 42, 44 together with the suction cup structure 12 are configured to maintain the suction cup structure 12 in a clamped position when at least a predetermined negative pressure is applied to the cavity region 30 through the opening 18 in the suction cup structure 12. On the other hand, the suction cup structure 12 is configured to be in an initial or rest position in the absence of a predetermined negative pressure being applied to the cavity region 30 of the suction cup structure 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The vacuum chuck assembly 10 has a first shape in the rest position (as shown in fig. 1-4) and a second shape in the clamped position (as shown in fig. 6), the first shape being different from the second shape.

Thus, the vacuum cup assembly 10 has a first stiffness in the rest position (because the layers 42, 44 are not compressed together) and a second stiffness in the clamped position, the second stiffness being greater than the first stiffness. The greater stiffness is caused by a layer compression effect between the first layer 42 and the second layer 44. For example, when the layers 42, 44 are pressed together by negative pressure, they are pressed together to form a thicker, stiffer composite structure. The air gap g defined between the first layer 42 and the second layer 44 in the rest position is closed in the clamped position. Thus, the step 106 of applying negative pressure includes increasing the stiffness of the vacuum chuck assembly 10 as a whole.

The vacuum chuck assembly 10 is versatile in that it can be adapted to various object shapes by means of an inner layer 42, 44, which is shape adjustable in the sense that: which may become generally stiffer as they are pressed together and the air gap g between the layers 42, 44 in the cavity region 30 of the chuck structure 12 is eliminated. Accordingly, the vacuum chuck assembly 10 can be reconfigured into a plurality of additional gripping positions based on the corresponding shape of the various additional objects. The vacuum chuck assembly 10 has a flexible geometry for initial contact with the object 58, which then conforms to the shape of the object 58 and hardens to lift the object 58.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another variation of the vacuum chuck assembly is shown and is generally designated 110. The vacuum chuck assembly 110 may be the same as or similar to the vacuum chuck assembly 10 and has all of its same features and characteristics except where described differently. For example, the vacuum cup assembly 110 may include a suction cup structure 112 having an outer surface 114 and an inner surface 116 defining a recess 124. The proximal end 118 of the suction cup structure 112 is configured to be connected to a hose (not shown, but shown, for example, in fig. 6), while the distal end 126 is configured to grip an object.

The suction cup surface 112 defines a cavity region 130 defined by an inner side 132 of the inner surface 116 and an inner side 134 of the outer surface 114 between the proximal end 118 and the distal end 126 of the suction cup structure 112. A plurality of internal structures are disposed in the cavity region 130, and in this case, the plurality of internal structures include a plurality of granular bodies 160. In this example, the suction cup structure 112 defines a rim lip 162 at the rim of the cavity 130 and adjacent the channel 152 through the vacuum cup assembly 110 to keep the body 160 from disengaging from the cavity 130.

The granular bodies 160 may be circular, such as spherical or ovoid, or they may have any other desired shape, for example, prismatic or pyramidal, or have a triangular cross-section. The body 160 may be harder or softer than the flexible material forming the suction cup structure 112.

Thus, the plurality of internal structures may be granular, such as body 160, or they may be a layered material, such as layers 42, 44. In some variations, both layered materials 42, 44 and granular material (such as body 160) may be provided.

The method 100 may also be implemented using the vacuum chuck assembly 110 of FIG. 8. The step 106 of applying negative pressure will include: the granular object 160 is moved within the cavity region 130 to conform the suction cup structure 112 to the shape of the object.

The description is merely exemplary in nature and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. The examples shown herein may be combined in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.