Flexible cable for industrial robot

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flexible cable for an industrial robot, which comprises a conductor, an insulating layer, a shielding layer and an outer protective layer which are sequentially arranged from inside to outside, the conductor is formed by twisting a plurality of copper wires, and a spiral structure is formed on the outer surface of the conductor; an arc-shaped groove matched with the spiral structure on the outer surface of the conductor is formed in the insulating layer, and an elastic cushion layer is arranged at the bottom of the arc-shaped groove; the shielding layer is woven by tinned copper wires; the outer protection layer comprises a first outer protection layer and a second outer protection layer, the second outer protection layer is coated with the first outer protection layer, the first outer protection layer is made of a polyurethane material, and the second outer protection layer is made of a polytetrafluoroethylene material. According to the utility model, the defect of insufficient flexibility of the cable used by the industrial robot is overcome, and the service life and the reliability of the cable are improved to a certain extent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cable technology, specifically to a flexible cable for industrial robots. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of industrial automation and robotics, the demand for highly flexible cables is increasing. Highly flexible cables need to maintain stable performance under conditions of frequent bending, torsion, and stretching to adapt to the harsh working environments of industrial robots and other automated equipment. However, existing highly flexible cables still have some shortcomings in terms of flexibility and durability.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN210006493U discloses a high-flexibility cable for industrial robots. The cable includes an ultra-soft conductor with tensile filler at the center, a lightweight non-woven fabric wrapped around the conductor, three insulation layers, and tensile mesh aramid braid inside the insulation layers. The cable is cabled using a "plum blossom" structure. The cable adopts a structure of first winding copper wire for armoring and then inner lining. The cable is wrapped with ultra-thin aluminum-plastic composite tape in overlapping layers. The protective layer consists of two layers with aramid braid between the two layers.

[0004] However, the applicant's research revealed that in existing technologies, the conductor uses an ultra-soft conductor with a tensile filler in the center. However, this structure may lead to stress concentration within the conductor during long-term, frequent bending and stretching, thus affecting the cable's flexibility and durability. While the three-layer insulation design improves insulation performance, the multi-layer structure may increase the overall rigidity of the cable and reduce flexibility. The tensile mesh aramid filament braid inside the insulation layer increases tensile strength to some extent, but also limits the flexibility and elastic deformation capability of the insulation layer. The ultra-thin aluminum-plastic composite tape overlapping and wrapping shielding layer design, while providing good electromagnetic shielding, may lead to fatigue and fracture of the shielding layer under frequent bending due to the material properties of the aluminum-plastic composite tape, affecting the overall flexibility and shielding performance of the cable. The outer sheath consists of two layers with aramid braiding between them. While this multi-layer structure improves the cable's protective performance and tensile strength, it may increase the overall rigidity of the cable and reduce flexibility. The addition of aramid braiding, while enhancing tensile strength, limits the flexibility and elastic deformation capability of the outer sheath. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the technical defects of existing cables, which are prone to damage due to frequent bending and twisting during use, thus affecting their service life, this utility model provides a flexible cable for industrial robots. This cable can solve the problem of insufficient flexibility in existing cables and improve their service life and reliability.

[0006] To solve the above problems, this utility model is implemented according to the following technical solution:

[0007] The flexible cable for industrial robots described in this utility model includes a conductor, an insulation layer, a shielding layer, and an outer sheath arranged sequentially from the inside out. The conductor is made of several stranded copper wires, and the outer surface of the conductor forms a spiral structure. The insulation layer has an arc-shaped groove inside that matches the spiral structure on the outer surface of the conductor, and an elastic pad is provided at the bottom of the arc-shaped groove. The shielding layer is made of tin-plated copper wire braid. The outer sheath includes a first outer sheath and a second outer sheath, with the first outer sheath covering the second outer sheath. The first outer sheath is made of polyurethane material, and the second outer sheath is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material.

[0008] Preferably, a filling layer is provided between the insulating layer and the shielding layer, and the filling layer is filled with non-woven fabric material; the filling layer is also provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs, and the reinforcing ribs are made of aramid fiber material.

[0009] Preferably, a buffer layer is provided between the shielding layer and the outer protective layer, and the buffer layer is made of silicone rubber.

[0010] Preferably, the shielding layer is composed of several braided layers, with the braiding directions of adjacent braided layers being opposite; the braiding density of the inner braided layer is not less than 85%, and the braiding density of the outer braided layer is not less than 90%.

[0011] Preferably, the outer surface of the first outer protective layer is provided with anti-slip texture; the inner surface of the second outer protective layer is provided with annular stripes; the first outer protective layer and the second outer protective layer are connected by hot pressing.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0013] (1) A conductor made of several stranded copper wires has better flexibility than a single thick copper wire. Multiple thin copper wires can slide and adjust their positions during the stranding process, so that the stress can be distributed more evenly when the conductor is bent, reducing local stress concentration, thereby improving the flexibility and bending resistance of the cable. The spiral structure formed on the outer surface of the conductor increases the contact area between the conductor and the insulation layer. At the same time, during the bending process, the spiral structure can generate a certain amount of elastic deformation, absorbing part of the bending stress, further improving the flexibility and fatigue resistance of the cable.

[0014] (2) The insulation layer has an arc-shaped groove inside that matches the spiral structure on the outer surface of the conductor, making the bond between the conductor and the insulation layer tighter and preventing the conductor from sliding and displacing within the insulation layer. At the same time, an elastic pad is provided at the bottom of the arc-shaped groove. This elastic pad has good elasticity and flexibility, and can generate greater deformation during cable bending, providing a buffer space between the conductor and the insulation layer, effectively reducing friction and stress concentration between the conductor and the insulation layer, and improving the flexibility and durability of the cable.

[0015] (3) The shielding layer made of tinned copper wire not only has a good electromagnetic shielding effect, but also further enhances the flexibility of the cable. Tinned copper wire is relatively soft and can produce a certain amount of elastic deformation during the braiding process, so that the shielding layer can better fit the shape of the cable when the cable is bent, reduce the friction and stress between the shielding layer and the insulation layer, and improve the overall flexibility of the cable.

[0016] (4) The outer sheath includes a first outer sheath and a second outer sheath. The first outer sheath is made of polyurethane, which has good wear resistance and low-temperature resistance. The second outer sheath is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which has excellent high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and self-lubricating properties. The double-layer outer sheath structure not only improves the cable's protective performance but also enhances its flexibility and durability. The low coefficient of friction of polytetrafluoroethylene reduces frictional resistance with the surrounding environment during bending and movement, further improving the cable's flexibility and service life. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a flexible cable for industrial robots according to this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic pad structure of a flexible cable for industrial robots according to this utility model.

[0020] In the diagram: 1 - conductor;

[0021] 2-Insulating layer;

[0022] 3-Shielding layer;

[0023] 4-Buffer layer;

[0024] 5-Outer protective layer;

[0025] 501 - First outer protective layer;

[0026] 502 - Second outer protective layer;

[0027] 6-Fill layer;

[0028] 7-Arc-shaped groove;

[0029] 8-Elastic padding layer. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0031] like Figures 1-2 As shown, this utility model discloses a preferred structure for a flexible cable for industrial robots.

[0032] like Figures 1-2 As shown in the figure, this utility model discloses a flexible cable for industrial robots. The flexible cable includes, from the inside out, a conductor 1, an insulation layer 2, a shielding layer 3, and an outer sheath 5. The conductor 1 is composed of several stranded copper wires. Compared to a single thick copper wire, the conductor 1, made of several stranded copper wires, has better flexibility. The multiple thin copper wires can slide and adjust each other during the stranding process, allowing for a more even distribution of stress during bending, reducing local stress concentration, and thus improving the cable's flexibility and bending performance. Simultaneously, the copper wires have good conductivity and ductility, ensuring stable electrical connection during high-frequency bending and stretching. Each copper wire has a diameter of less than 0.1mm, conforming to Category 6 fine stranded copper wire of the IEC 60228 standard. This structural design ensures that the cable maintains low resistance and stable signal transmission even during repeated bending and twisting.

[0033] The outer surface of the conductor 1 forms a spiral structure, which increases the contact area between the conductor 1 and the insulation layer 2. At the same time, during bending, the spiral structure can generate a certain amount of elastic deformation, absorb some bending stress, and further improve the flexibility and fatigue resistance of the cable.

[0034] The insulation layer 2 has an arc-shaped groove 7 inside that matches the spiral structure on the outer surface of the conductor 1. An elastic pad 8 is provided at the bottom of the arc-shaped groove 7. This arc-shaped groove 7 inside the insulation layer 2, matching the spiral structure on the outer surface of the conductor 1, makes the bond between the conductor 1 and the insulation layer 2 tighter, preventing the conductor 1 from sliding or displacing within the insulation layer 2. Simultaneously, the elastic pad 8 at the bottom of the arc-shaped groove 7 has good elasticity and flexibility, enabling greater deformation during cable bending. This provides a buffer space between the conductor 1 and the insulation layer 2, effectively reducing friction and stress concentration between them, further improving the cable's flexibility and durability.

[0035] The shielding layer 3 is made of tin-plated copper wire braid. This tin-plated copper wire braid not only provides excellent electromagnetic shielding but also further enhances the cable's flexibility. The tin-plated copper wire is relatively soft and can undergo elastic deformation during the braiding process, allowing the shielding to better conform to the cable's shape when bent, reducing friction and stress between the shielding layer 3 and the insulation layer 2, and improving the overall flexibility of the cable. The tin-plated copper wire braiding material also has good electromagnetic interference resistance, ensuring the stability and reliability of signal transmission.

[0036] The outer sheath 5 includes a first outer sheath 501 and a second outer sheath 502. The first outer sheath 501 covers the second outer sheath 502. The first outer sheath 501 is made of polyurethane, and the second outer sheath 502 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The first outer sheath 501, made of polyurethane, has good wear resistance and low-temperature resistance; the second outer sheath 502, made of PTFE, has excellent high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and self-lubricating properties. This double-layer outer sheath structure effectively disperses and absorbs external mechanical stress, reducing cable damage caused by tensile stress, impact, and other mechanical damage. It also provides good insulation protection, reducing the risk of leakage in high-voltage environments. The low coefficient of friction of PTFE reduces frictional resistance with the surrounding environment during bending and movement, further improving the cable's flexibility and service life.

[0037] Specifically, the outer sheath 5 uses a combination of different materials to optimize the overall flexibility and bending performance of the cable, so that it can remain stable in environments with frequent bending and torsion.

[0038] A filling layer 6 is provided between the insulating layer 2 and the shielding layer 3. The filling layer 6 is filled with non-woven fabric material. The filling layer 6 is also provided with a number of reinforcing ribs, which are made of aramid fiber material.

[0039] Specifically, the filling layer 6 also includes several reinforcing ribs made of aramid fiber material, which are evenly distributed within the filling layer 6. The gaps between the reinforcing ribs are filled with non-woven fabric. Using reinforcing ribs and non-woven fabric as filling materials in the filling layer 6 can, to some extent, reduce stress concentration during cable bending, thereby improving the cable's flexibility. It can also effectively fill the gaps between the insulation layer 2 and the shielding layer 3, making the cable structure more compact and improving the overall performance of the cable.

[0040] A buffer layer 4, made of silicone rubber, is provided between the shielding layer 3 and the outer sheath 5. The buffer layer 4 can effectively absorb the vibration and impact generated during the use of the cable, protect the internal structure from damage, and further improve the cable's impact resistance and environmental resistance.

[0041] The shielding layer 3 is composed of several braided layers, with the braiding directions of adjacent braided layers being opposite; the braiding density of the inner braided layer is not less than 85%, and the braiding density of the outer braided layer is not less than 90%.

[0042] Specifically, the structure of multiple braided layers provides multi-layered shielding. On the one hand, it effectively blocks external electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference, ensuring stable signal transmission within the cable. On the other hand, it increases the mechanical strength of the shielding layer 3, enabling it to better resist external mechanical stresses such as tension, bending, and torsion, thereby protecting the conductor 1 and insulation layer 2 inside the cable. The opposite braiding directions between adjacent braided layers further enhance the shielding effect, reduce the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the shielding layer 3, and improve the uniformity and effectiveness of the shielding. The braiding density of the inner braided layer is not less than 85%, and the braiding density of the outer braided layer is not less than 90%. By controlling the braiding density of the braided layers, the cable maintains good electrical performance during long-term use, improving the cable's reliability and stability.

[0043] The outer surface of the first outer sheath 501 is provided with anti-slip texture. By providing anti-slip texture on the outer surface of the first outer sheath 501 and annular stripes in the second outer sheath 502, the friction and structural stability of the cable during use are increased, enabling it to maintain good performance under various working conditions and have strong adaptability.

[0044] The first outer sheath 501 and the second outer sheath 502 are connected by heat-pressing. The first outer sheath 501 tightly wraps around the second outer sheath 502 by heat-pressing, forming a strong composite structure between the two, which not only improves the mechanical strength and durability of the cable, but also enhances the cable's environmental resistance.

[0045] Other structures of the flexible cable for industrial robots described in this embodiment are found in the prior art.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model without departing from the technical solution of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A flexible cable for industrial robots, comprising a conductor (1), an insulation layer (2), a shielding layer (3), and an outer sheath (5) arranged sequentially from the inside out, characterized in that: The conductor (1) is made of several copper wires twisted together, and the outer surface of the conductor (1) forms a spiral structure; The interior of the insulating layer (2) is provided with an arc-shaped groove (7) that matches the spiral structure on the outer surface of the conductor (1), and an elastic pad (8) is provided at the bottom of the arc-shaped groove (7). The shielding layer (3) is woven from tin-plated copper wire; The outer protective layer (5) includes a first outer protective layer (501) and a second outer protective layer (502). The first outer protective layer (501) covers the second outer protective layer (502). The first outer protective layer (501) is made of polyurethane material, and the second outer protective layer (502) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material.

2. The flexible cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that: A filling layer (6) is provided between the insulating layer (2) and the shielding layer (3), and the filling layer (6) is filled with non-woven fabric material; The filling layer (6) is also provided with several reinforcing ribs, which are made of aramid fiber material.

3. The flexible cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that: A buffer layer (4) is provided between the shielding layer (3) and the outer protective layer (5), and the buffer layer (4) is made of silicone rubber.

4. The flexible cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shielding layer (3) is composed of several braided layers, with the braiding directions of adjacent braided layers being opposite; The weave density of the inner braided layer is not less than 85%, and the weave density of the outer braided layer is not less than 90%.

5. A flexible cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the first outer protective layer (501) is provided with anti-slip texture; The second outer protective layer (502) has annular stripes inside; The first outer protective layer (501) and the second outer protective layer (502) are connected by heat pressing.

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