Battery gripper

Gripping system comprising a tube lifter, an operating device for the tube lifter, at least a first vacuum source and a battery gripper for picking up by suction and handling starter batteries, comprising a housing in which a vacuum chamber to which a vacuum can be applied is provided and which comprises suction openings on the suction side thereof that faces the starter battery to be picked up by suction, wherein the suction side is associated with a flexible lining for contacting the starter battery, wherein the suction side and/or the flexible lining has a T-shaped cross section, wherein the cross section has a bar section and a web section which extends transversely to said bar section such that the web section extends between the battery poles of the starter battery when said starter battery is picked up by suction on the battery gripper, wherein suction openings are provided with at least two different opening cross sections, a first opening cross section being smaller than a second opening cross section, wherein the suction side has three suction sections in the direction of the bar section, there being arranged in a middle suction section approximately the same number of suction openings having the first and second opening cross section, and there being arranged in two end suction sections arranged outside the middle suction section at least a majority suction openings having the second opening cross section, wherein the first vacuum source is fluidically connected to the tube lifter.