Development And Analysis Of An Electrically Activated Vortex Sucker

For its easy use, simple mechanism and wide adaptability, pneumatic technology is widely used to generate suction force both in the automatic production line and the research of wall climbing robot. This thesis mainly introduced an electrically activated vortex sucker, which has an excellent suction characteristic and the vacuum leak problem is fundamentally solved thus effective attachment to irregular and uneven surface can be achieved.In this thesis, the structure design and working principle of the sucker was detailed illustrated, accordingly we presented the related design parameters (rotation speed, inner radius, torque, etc.) and the performance indexes (suction force, energy consumption, gap clearance,etc.).To accurately study the effect of the aforementioned parameters, we first theoretically calculated the relationship between the suction force and the rotation speed as well as the inner radius. Then, we conducted a further analysis by using the CFD method to simulate the pressure distribution and the flow status inside the cylindrical shell of the sucker. Finally, we experimentally investigated the effect of all the related parameter included gap clearance and surface roughness.After the basic characteristic was well studied, a comparison between the new sucker and the currently available pneumatic sucker was conducted, their benefits and drawbacks were presented in terms of force-energy ratio, force-area ratio and mechanical structure.To ensure that the sucker can be effectively and safely applied to the real production, the number of the blades as well as its structure was optimized.Based on the aforementioned research achievement, the new sucker was used as an end effector to pick up workpieces and also applied to the development of a pneumatic wall climbing robot.