Vacuum Handling Apparatus
AssigneeJ. Schmalz GmbH
InventorsWalter Dunkmann, Walter Schaaf, David Straub
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for operating a vacuum handling apparatus, in particular for a human-machine-collaboration system, a vacuum gripper can be connected to a primary vacuum system to generate a vacuum, the method includes the following steps applying the vacuum gripper to a workpiece and building up a vacuum in the vacuum gripper by means of the primary vacuum system; holding the workpiece during its handling by means of the vacuum prevailing in the vacuum gripper, and monitoring at least one state variable during the handling; and generating an auxiliary vacuum in the vacuum gripper by a self-sufficient, secondary auxiliary vacuum system if the monitored state variable deviates from a target state.
Claims15
A method for the operation of a vacuum handling apparatus comprising a vacuum gripper connectable to a primary vacuum system to generate a vacuum, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. applying the vacuum gripper to a workpiece and building up a vacuum in the vacuum gripper by means of the primary vacuum system;
- b. holding the workpiece during its handling by means of the vacuum prevailing in the vacuum gripper, and monitoring at least one state variable during the handling;
- and
- c. generating an auxiliary vacuum in the vacuum gripper by means of a self-sufficient, secondary auxiliary vacuum system if the monitored state variable deviates from a target state.
A vacuum handling apparatus, comprising a vacuum gripper and a primary vacuum system for generating a vacuum for operating the vacuum gripper, wherein the vacuum gripper comprises a secondary, auxiliary vacuum system, and wherein the auxiliary vacuum system is designed for at least one of self-sufficient generation and/or provision of an auxiliary vacuum in the vacuum gripper independently of an external power supply, whereby the vacuum handling apparatus is adapted to:
- a. apply the vacuum gripper to a workpiece and build up a vacuum in the vacuum gripper by means of the primary vacuum system;
- b. hold the workpiece during its handling by means of the vacuum prevailing in the vacuum gripper, and monitor at least one state variable during the handling;
- and
- c. generate an auxiliary vacuum in the vacuum gripper by means of a self-sufficient, secondary auxiliary vacuum system if the monitored state variable deviates from a target state.
A human-machine collaboration system, comprising a vacuum handling apparatus comprising:
- a. a vacuum gripper and a primary vacuum system for generating a vacuum for operating the vacuum gripper, wherein the vacuum gripper comprises a secondary, auxiliary vacuum system, and wherein the auxiliary vacuum system is designed for at least one of self-sufficient generation and/or provision of an auxiliary vacuum in the vacuum gripper independently of an external power supply, whereby the vacuum handling apparatus is adapted to:
- i. apply the vacuum gripper to a workpiece and build up a vacuum in the vacuum gripper by means of the primary vacuum system;
- ii. hold the workpiece during its handling by means of the vacuum prevailing in the vacuum gripper, and monitor at least one state variable during the handling;
- and
- iii. generate an auxiliary vacuum in the vacuum gripper by means of a self-sufficient, secondary auxiliary vacuum system if the monitored state variable deviates from a target state;
- and
- b. and an operator who works together with the vacuum handling apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.