This paper presents the design, simulation, and testing of a compliant gripper that can provide a constant gripping force to handle objects of various sizes. Maintaining a proper gripping force is challenging when manipulating delicate objects with uncertain sizes and stiffnesses. To avoid damage and provide a stable grip of an object, force feedback is often required so that the gripping force can be directly or indirectly regulated. Without using additional sensors and control, the proposed gripper passively maintains a constant prespecified contact force between fingertip and object. The gripper is designed to have a constant input force generated by a constant-force mechanism (CFM). Transmitted through a statically balanced (SB) mechanism, a constant gripping force is obtained at the fingertip. After a formulation to find the optimal gripper configuration, the design is verified through comparison with simulation results. Finally, a prototype of the constant-force gripper is demonstrated. The novel gripper is expected to serve as a reliable alternative for object manipulation.
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July 2014
Research-Article
A Constant-Force Compliant Gripper for Handling Objects of Various Sizes
Jung-Yuan Wang,
Jung-Yuan Wang
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
No. 1, University Road,
e-mail: jungyuanwang@gmail.com
National Cheng Kung University
,No. 1, University Road,
Tainan City 70101, Taiwan
e-mail: jungyuanwang@gmail.com
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Chao-Chieh Lan
Chao-Chieh Lan
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
No. 1, University Road,
e-mail: cclan@mail.ncku.edu.tw
National Cheng Kung University
,No. 1, University Road,
Tainan City 70101, Taiwan
e-mail: cclan@mail.ncku.edu.tw
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Jung-Yuan Wang
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
No. 1, University Road,
e-mail: jungyuanwang@gmail.com
National Cheng Kung University
,No. 1, University Road,
Tainan City 70101, Taiwan
e-mail: jungyuanwang@gmail.com
Chao-Chieh Lan
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
No. 1, University Road,
e-mail: cclan@mail.ncku.edu.tw
National Cheng Kung University
,No. 1, University Road,
Tainan City 70101, Taiwan
e-mail: cclan@mail.ncku.edu.tw
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Mechanisms and Robotics Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received July 16, 2013; final manuscript received March 19, 2014; published online April 28, 2014. Assoc. Editor: Oscar Altuzarra.
J. Mech. Des. Jul 2014, 136(7): 071008 (10 pages)
Published Online: April 28, 2014
Article history
Received:
July 16, 2013
Revision Received:
March 19, 2014
Citation
Wang, J., and Lan, C. (April 28, 2014). "A Constant-Force Compliant Gripper for Handling Objects of Various Sizes." ASME. J. Mech. Des. July 2014; 136(7): 071008. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4027285
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