Parallel gripper with displacement-magnification mechanism and extendable finger mechanism

Abstract

We propose a gripper displacement-magnification mechanism and an extendable finger mechanism, both of which can be attached to a commercially available parallel gripper. We then verify the operation of the mechanism in order to expand applications of the parallel gripper. The displacement-magnification mechanism has a stacked rack-and-pinion system that doubles displacement. The extendable finger mechanism has two nails that extend and contract, reducing impact force and detecting changes in product height from expansion and contraction amounts. The parallel gripper has a width of 95 mm, a depth of 110 mm, and a height of 214 mm and weighs 1.36 kg. It has an open/close stroke of 60 mm, a gripping force of 7.4 N, and an opening/closing speed of 100 mm/s or more. Further, it was confirmed that the ends and inclinations of products can be reliably detected using the extending/contracting nail. The mechanism verification confirmed that our parallel gripper achieved the desired performance and is therefore useful.