Battery holder and electric machine

Abstract

A battery holder (15) holds a spare battery (14) for a sensor of an electric machine driven by a servo motor and is detachably fixed to an inner surface (4a) in an interior of the electric machine, the interior being sealed by a cover (11) that can open and close an opening section (8) of an outer wall (5) of the electric machine. The battery holder (15) has: a battery receiving section (16) that receives the battery (14) and allows the battery (14) to be removed when the opening section (8) is open; and a partition (17) located outside the battery receiving section (16). The partition (17) blocks an access path that passes through the opening section (8) and reaches a component (6, 7, 13) that can be brought into an active state by energizing the servo motor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery holder and an electric machine. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] An electrical device driven by a servomotor includes a rotary encoder that detects and stores angular position information from a servomotor shaft. The electrical device has a backup battery mounted on it to prevent loss of position information when power is lost (see, for example, PTL 1).

[0003] When housed in a battery holder with a lid, the battery is inserted into an interior of the electrical device from an opening portion provided in an outer wall of the electrical device. The battery holder inserted into the opening portion is fixed to the outer wall of the electrical device in which the opening portion is provided, thereby blocking the opening portion.

[0004] If the battery is removed during battery replacement, etc., while the power source of the electrical equipment is turned off, the position information of the rotary encoder will be lost. Therefore, battery replacement work is usually performed while the electrical equipment is energized. At this time, the operator must avoid touching live components, etc. With a structure in which the opening portion is blocked by the battery holder, battery replacement is permitted while avoiding contact with live components, etc.

[0005] On the other hand, to facilitate the installation or maintenance of a component in the interior, an opening section is sometimes provided in the outer wall of the electrical device, allowing the interior to be opened widely. A large opening section is generally provided separately from a small opening section for the battery holder and is opened and closed when a larger cover is removed and attached. LITERATUREPATENT LITERATURE

[0006] PTL 1 Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 5-67490 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL TASK

[0007] In the case where two opening sections are provided separately in the outer wall of the electrical device, machining operations are required, such as forming a support surface and screw holes for attaching a cover and lid to the outer wall. Furthermore, sealing structures must be used at both opening sections to seal the interior, which makes the structure complex.

[0008] Therefore, a simple structure is desirable that facilitates assembly and maintenance and allows battery replacement while avoiding contact with components that can be brought into an active state when energized. SOLUTION TO THE TASK

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure is a battery holder that holds a backup battery for an encoder of an electric machine driven by a servomotor and that is detachably fixed to an inner surface in an interior space of the electric machine, the interior space being sealed by a cover capable of opening and closing an opening portion of an outer wall of the electric machine, the battery holder comprising: a battery receiving portion that receives the battery and allows the battery to be removed in a state in which the opening portion is open; and a partition wall provided outside the battery receiving portion, the partition wall blocking an access path that passes through the opening portion and reaches a component that can be brought into an active state by energizing the servomotor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view showing an electric machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a battery holder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery holder being in the position shown in Fig. 1 shown electrical machine is mounted. Fig. 3 is a partial side view showing a state in which a cover for the Fig. 2 shown electrical machine is removed. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the Fig. 2 shows the battery holder. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the Fig. 4 shows the battery holder. Fig. 6 is a partial side view showing a state in which the battery holder is removed from the Fig. 3 shown electrical machine is removed. Fig. Figure 7 is a partial longitudinal section showing a modification of the Fig. 2 shows the electrical machine. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a battery holder and an electric machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As in Fig. 1, the electric machine 1 of this embodiment is a robot (hereinafter also referred to as robot 1).

[0012] The robot 1 according to this embodiment comprises a base 2, which is installed on an installation surface A, such as a floor surface, and one or more movable parts 3, such as arms, which can be moved relative to the base 2. The base 2 and the individual movable parts 3 are formed as hollow shapes and each have an outer wall 5 defining an interior space 4, as shown in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0013] The robot 1 includes one or more servomotors (not shown) for driving the moving parts 3. Each servomotor is arranged inside the internal space 4 or outside the outer wall 5 of the base 2 or each moving part 3. Furthermore, the internal spaces 4 of the base 2 and the moving parts 3 each house, for example, a machine component such as a reduction gear 6 for slowing down the rotation of a shaft of the servomotor. Furthermore, the internal spaces 4 each house a cable 7 for supplying the servomotor with power and signals.

[0014] Each servo motor rotates the shaft when supplied with power from a control device (not shown) and generates heat through excitation.

[0015] Furthermore, the machine component, such as the reduction gear 6, can be moved within the interior space 4 by the operation of the servo motor. Furthermore, a current flows in the cable 7 when the servo motor is driven.

[0016] That is, the state of the servo motor, the machine component such as the reduction gear 6, and the cable 7 can change depending on the presence / absence of power supply to the servo motor. Therefore, the servo motor, the machine component such as the reduction gear 6, and the cable 7 are components that can be brought into an active state by energizing them. Furthermore, in addition to the reduction gear 6, components that can be driven by the servo motor within the interior space 4 are all components that can be brought into an active state by energizing them.

[0017] A description will be given of an exemplary case in which an opening portion 8 communicating with the interior 4 and the exterior is formed in the outer wall 5 of the movable part 3, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The opening portion 8 is, for example, as large as the outer shape of the reduction gear 6 to allow tightening of screws 9 for fixing the reduction gear 6 in the interior space 4.

[0018] A support surface 10 is formed around a peripheral edge of the opening section 8, as shown in Fig. 3, and a plurality of screw holes 10a are formed in the support surface 10 along the circumferential direction thereof. The robot 1 includes a cover 11 that blocks the opening portion 8 from being opened and closed.

[0019] The cover 11 can be detachably attached to the outer wall 5 by means of screws 12, which are tightened into the screw holes 10a in the support surface 10. A sealing member (not shown) is arranged between the support surface 10 and the cover 11. The cover 11 is fixed to the support surface 10 of the outer wall 5 by means of the screws 12, thereby making it possible to tightly close the opening portion 8 in a liquid-tight state.

[0020] The reduction gear 6 has, for example, near an axis line C, a hollow hole 6a penetrating along its central axis. The cable 7, for example, passes through the hollow hole 6a and is wired from the adjacent base 2 or another movable part 3 into the interior of the inner space 4 of the movable part 3.

[0021] A cylindrical resin body 13 is disposed within the hollow hole 6a, and the cable 7 is caused to pass through the interior of the cylindrical body 13, thereby protecting the cable 7 from contact with the reduction gear 6. The cylindrical body 13 is fixed, for example, to a movable portion of the reduction gear 6 and is rotationally driven relative to the movable part 3 by the operation of the servo motor. Therefore, the cylindrical body 13 is also a component that can be brought into an active state by energizing it.

[0022] Since in the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2, the reduction gear 6 is arranged outside the interior space 4, a large portion of the reduction gear 6 does not correspond to a component that can be brought into an active state by energizing it. The movable portion of the reduction gear 6, which is exposed to the interior space 4 via a through hole 4b through which the cylindrical body 13 passes, corresponds to a component that can be brought into an active state by energizing it.

[0023] The cable 7 is fixed within the interior space 4 by a nylon band (not shown) or the like to a guide plate (not shown) to form a desired wiring path.

[0024] The servo motor includes a rotary encoder (hereinafter referred to as encoder) (not shown) that detects and stores angular position information on the shaft. When the power source of the control device is turned on, the encoder is supplied with power sent via cable 7 and retains the angular position information without losing it.

[0025] On the other hand, when the power source of the control device is not turned on, the above-described power supply to the encoder via cable 7 is stopped. In this case, the encoder is powered by a backup battery 14 to continue to retain the rotation angle position information.

[0026] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the robot 1 of this embodiment includes a battery holder 15 arranged in a received state within the interior space 4 of the movable part 3.

[0027] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the battery holder 15 of this embodiment includes a battery receiving portion 16 and a partition wall 17.

[0028] The battery receiving portion 16 is formed in a box shape having a bottom surface 16a and four side walls 16b connected to the bottom surface 16a and receives one or more batteries 14 therein.

[0029] The partition wall 17 includes a flat plate portion 17a extending from outer surfaces of the side walls 16b of the battery receiving portion 16 in directions in which the bottom surface 16a of the battery receiving portion 16 extends. Furthermore, the partition wall 17 includes a peripheral wall portion 17b extending from an outer peripheral edge of the flat plate portion 17a in a direction intersecting the flat plate portion 17a.

[0030] The battery receiving portion 16 and the partition wall 17 are integrally formed, for example, by injection molding an electrically insulating resin material. The peripheral wall portion 17b includes fastening portions 17c that are brought into close contact with a support surface 18 provided in an inner surface 4a of the interior space 4 of the movable part 3. The fastening portions 17c include through holes 17d.

[0031] The support surface 18 is provided in the inner surface 4a of the interior space 4, the inner surface 4a being located at a position facing the opening portion 8, and includes a plurality of screw holes 18a. To fix the battery holder 15 to the movable part 3, the fastening portions 17c are brought into close contact with the support surface 18, and screws 19 inserted through the through holes 17d are tightened into the screw holes 18a.

[0032] When the battery holder 15 is fixed to the movable part 3, the bottom surface 16a of the battery receiving portion 16 and the partition wall 17 cover the through-hole 4b of the movable part 3 and the cable 7. Accordingly, the battery receiving portion 16 and the partition wall 17 block the access path of an operator passing through the opening portion 8 and reaching the hollow hole 6a and the cable 7. Blocking the access path here means blocking or narrowing the space to prevent an operator's hand inserted through the opening portion 8 from passing through the space.

[0033] Fig. 6 shows a state in which the battery holder 15 is not fixed within the interior space 4. In this state, the screws 9 for fixing the reduction gear 6, the cylindrical body 13, and the cable 7 are exposed at positions where the operator can freely contact them. Therefore, the operator can easily perform attachment / detachment of the screws 9 for the reduction gear 6 or handling work on the cable 7 using the wide opening portion 8.

[0034] When the battery holder 15 is fixed to the inner surface 4a, the battery receiving portion 16, the partition wall 17 and the inner surface 4a define an isolated space 20, as shown in Fig. 2. The insulated space 20 is located on the opposite side of the opening portion 8, while the battery receiving portion 16 and the partition wall 17 are interposed therebetween. Then, the hollow hole 6a, the cylindrical body 13, and the cable 7 are arranged within the insulated space 20. Accordingly, the partition wall 17 of the battery holder 15 blocks a person's access path passing through the opening portion 8 and reaching these components.

[0035] In this way, according to this embodiment, the battery holder 15 is fixed to the inner surface 4a of the internal space 4 in the robot 1, and the internal space 4 is opened and closed by the cover 11. Accordingly, an opening portion only for the battery holder 15 need not be provided in the outer wall 5, and a special sealing structure is also not required, thus achieving a simple structure. Since the cover 11 only needs to be provided in one location, the number of components is reduced, and the machining of the support surface 10 is also reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0036] Furthermore, when the cover 11 is removed, the battery receiving portion 16 is located at a position closer to an operator than the isolated space 20 when viewed from the opening portion 8. By simply removing the cover 11 from the outer wall 5 of the movable part 3, it is possible to expose the battery 14 while covering the components 6, 7, 13 that can be brought into an active state by energization.

[0037] That is, the cover 11 is removed to open the opening portion 8 and expose the battery receiving portion 16, thereby facilitating the replacement of the battery 14. At this time, the access path is blocked by the battery holder 15, thereby preventing the operator from accidentally touching the components 6, 7, and 13, which can be brought into an active state by energization.

[0038] Furthermore, the insulated space 20 and the battery receiving portion 16 are arranged at positions to partially overlap in the direction of the axis line C of the movable part 3. Accordingly, the insulated space 20 is not restricted by the battery receiving portion 16, thereby largely securing the insulated space 20 in which the cable 7 is handled. As a result, the area of ​​the inner surface 4a required for installing the battery holder 15 is reduced, thereby achieving miniaturization of the robot 1.

[0039] Furthermore, when assembling or servicing components 6 and 7, which can be activated by energization, the power source is turned off to stop the energization. Therefore, the battery holder 15 is removed to form an access path, allowing work to be easily performed from the same opening portion 8.

[0040] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the reduction gear 6, the cable 7, and the cylindrical body 13 have been shown as examples of components that can be brought into an active state by energization. The reduction gear 6 includes: a static part that is not relatively displaced with respect to the inner surface 4a of the movable part 3; and a part that can be moved with respect to the static part. The static part does not need to be covered by the partition wall 17 of the battery holder 15. In addition, the servomotor that generates heat by energization, or a gear rotated by the servomotor, etc., may be included as a component that can be brought into an active state by energization.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the robot 1 has been shown as an example of the electric machine, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The present disclosure can be applied to any electric machine 1 driven by a servo motor including an encoder.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the insulated space 20 and the battery accommodating portion 16 are arranged at positions to partially overlap each other in the direction of the axis line C. Instead, the insulated space 20 and the battery accommodating portion 16 may be arranged at positions parallel in a direction perpendicular to the axis line C. Accordingly, the dimension of the battery holder 15 in the direction along the axis line C is reduced, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the robot 1 in the direction of the axis line C.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the partition wall 17 having the peripheral wall portion 17b is shown as an example. Alternatively, it is also possible for a peripheral wall portion to be provided on the inner surface 4a side of the movable part 3, and for the partition wall 17 to have only the flat plate portion 17a.

[0044] Furthermore, an exemplary case has been shown in which the partition wall 17 is formed integrally with the battery receiving portion 16. Alternatively, it is also possible for the partition wall 17 and the battery receiving portion 16 to be formed separately and then fixed to each other by bonding or screws, etc.

[0045] Although an exemplary case has been shown in which the battery holder 15 is arranged within the interior space 4 of the movable part 3, the battery holder 15 may also be arranged within the interior space of the base 2.

[0046] As in Fig. 7, it is also possible to include a cover body 21 detachably attached to the battery receiving portion 16. It is preferable that the cover body 21 be detachable with a simple mechanism, such as a snap mechanism. The battery receiving portion 16 is closed by the cover body 21, thereby making it possible to more reliably prevent the battery 14 from falling off during operation of the robot 1.

[0047] Instead of the lid body 21, any drop-preventing means, such as a fixing strap (not shown), may be provided. It is preferred that the fixing strap be detachable with a simple mechanism, such as a hook.

[0048] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. In these embodiments, various additions, replacements, modifications, and partial eliminations can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or without deviating from the spirit and essence of the present disclosure, which are derived from the content specified in the scope of the claims and the equivalent thereof. For example, in the embodiments described above, the order of operations and the order of processing methods are shown as examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the same applies to a case where a numerical value or a numerical expression is used in the description of the embodiments described above. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 robot (electric machine) 31a Interior 4a inner surface 5 Exterior wall 6 Reduction gear (component, machine component) 7 Cables (component) 8 Opening section 11 Cover 13 cylindrical body (component) 14 Battery 15 battery holders 16 Battery compartment 17 Partition wall 21 Lid body QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 5-67490

[0006]

Claims

[1] A battery holder which holds a reserve battery for an encoder of an electric machine driven by a servo motor and which is detachably fixed to an inner surface in an interior space of the electric machine, the interior space being sealed by a cover which is capable of opening and closing an opening portion of an outer wall of the electric machine, the battery holder comprising: a battery receiving portion that receives the battery and allows the battery to be removed in a state in which the opening portion is open; and a partition wall provided outside the battery receiving section, wherein the partition wall blocks an access path extending through the opening portion and reaching a component that can be brought into an active state by energizing the servo motor. [2] Battery holder according to claim 1, wherein the component which can be brought into an active state by being energized is a cable for supplying power to the servo motor. [3] The battery holder according to claim 1, wherein the component that can be brought into an active state by energizing is a machine component driven by the servo motor. [4] The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a space in which the component capable of being brought into an active state by energization is disposed is located on a side opposite to the opening portion with the battery accommodating portion and the partition wall sandwiched therebetween. [5] The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a space in which the component capable of being brought into an active state by energization is disposed is located on a side opposite to the opening portion, with the partition wall around the battery accommodating portion being interposed therebetween. [6] The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a lid body that opens and closes the battery receiving portion. [7] Electrical machine, comprising: an exterior wall forming an interior space; a cover that can open and close an opening section provided in the outer wall; a component, at least a part of which is arranged within the interior space and can be brought into an active state by energising it; and a battery holder according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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