Industrial robot having electronic drive devices distributed on the robot structure

Abstract

The invention relates to an industrial robot having electronic drive devices distributed on the robot structure. Specifically, in the industrial robot, the electronic drive devices (D1-D6) for the electrical supply and control of electric motors (M1-M6) of the robot are distributed on the robot structure, each being adjacent to the respective electric motor (M1-M6). The electronic drive devices (D1-D6) are connected in series to each other and to a central processing unit (5). In this series connection an Ethernet line (E) is included for communication of the electronic drive devices (D1-D6) with the central processing unit (5). Thanks to this series connection, the robot harness is dramatically simplified and the operations for its replacement are consequently easier and faster. The structure of the connectors between the robot and the control unit is also greatly simplified. The invention is applicable to robots equipped with conventional electric motors, thanks to the fact that each electronic drive device (D1-D6) is mounted on the body of the respective electric motor (M1-M6) with the interposition of an adapter plate (A) which also helps to dissipate the heat generated by the electric motor in order to reduce the torque "derating" of the motor due to overheating.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a type of industrial robot comprising: [0002] - robot structure, and [0003] - electronics for controlling the structure of the robot, [0004] The robot structure includes: [0005] - a plurality of robotic elements movable relative to each other, and [0006] - a plurality of actuating devices, each for driving the movement of a corresponding robot element, [0007] - wherein each said actuation means associated with a respective robotic element comprises at least one drive motor, [0008] -wherein said electronic device comprises: [0009] - the central electronic control unit, which is located away from the robot structure, and [0010] - a plurality of electronic drive means, each for power supply and control of an electric motor associated with a respective robot element, said electronic drive means being connected to said central electronic control unit, and [0011] - wherein said electronic drives are d...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the solutions of this type that have been provided so far show that neither understanding nor even a vague concept can occur for all the possibilities offered by the control architecture with electronic drives distributed over the robot structure

[0015] A very tricky thing to consider in the field of industrial robotics is that the robot harness is relatively complex, which means that a lot of time is consumed both during the initial installation of the robot and every time the robot harness needs to be replaced

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