Brake Mechanism Using Accelerated Rotation to Shrink Brake Size

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake mechanisms for industrial robots and machine tools require large sizes to achieve sufficient braking force, which is inefficient in terms of space and component usage, especially when downsizing is demanded without reducing braking ability.

Innovation Solution

A speed reducing mechanism that includes a speed reducing unit, an accelerating unit, and a brake unit, where the rotation from the speed reducing unit is accelerated by the accelerating unit, reducing the necessary braking torque and allowing for a smaller brake unit, with configurations such as overlapping gear arrangements and cam mechanisms to optimize space and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a large brake is used to brake the speed reducing unit directly, then sufficient braking force is achieved, but the brake size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidbrake size

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of braking the slow-rotating speed reducing unit directly, the patent inverts the approach by accelerating the rotation first and then braking the accelerated rotation. This inversion allows a smaller brake to achieve the same braking effect because the brake operates on higher speed rotation with lower torque requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the rotational speed parameter by introducing an accelerating unit that increases the rotation speed before braking. By operating the brake at higher speed (lower torque) rather than low speed (high torque), the brake size can be reduced while maintaining sufficient braking force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the brake size is reduced, then space occupation is decreased, but braking ability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake sizeVSAvoidbraking ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an accelerating unit as an intermediary between the speed reducing unit and the brake. This intermediary accelerates the rotation before it reaches the brake, allowing the brake to be smaller while maintaining braking ability. The accelerating unit mediates the conflict between brake size and braking effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a large brake is used, then braking performance is sufficient, but the number of components and space usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking performanceVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the braking function into two parts: the accelerating unit that increases rotation speed, and the brake unit that applies braking force. This segmentation allows the brake to be smaller and more efficient, improving overall braking performance while the modular structure makes the system more manageable despite adding one component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11965592B2Brake mechanism and speed reducing mechanism

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 NABTESCO CORP

AI summary

A speed reducing mechanism according to the present invention includes: a speed reducing unit for decelerating input rotation; an accelerating unit for accelerating rotation output from the speed reducing unit; and a brake unit for applying a braking force for braking the accelerating unit.