Adjustable Link Coupling Structure for Ball Joint Anti-Rattle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling structures in parallel link robots suffer from rattling and wear in ball joints due to aging, which are not effectively addressed by conventional elastic members.
Innovation Solution
A coupling structure with adjustable attachment members and a coupling mechanism that fixes the distance between pairs of passive links, using a pair of attachment members supported on two parallel links with rotation axes perpendicular to their longitudinal axes, and a coupling mechanism that adjusts this distance using male and female screws and a nut member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic members are used to pull links toward each other, then rattling in ball joints is prevented, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the elastic member from the coupling structure. Instead of using a spring-based elastic member to pull links together, the invention uses a direct rigid coupling mechanism with adjustment capability, removing the problematic elastic component while maintaining the anti-rattling function through precise distance fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure is segmented into adjustable components (first and second attachment members with adjustment mechanisms) that can be independently positioned and fixed. This segmentation allows for precise control of the distance between links without requiring a complex elastic member, enabling the adjustment of coupling distance to prevent ball joint rattling through modular positioning.
2Reliability
If elastic members are used to maintain link distance, then ball joint wear is reduced, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the elastic member (spring) from the manufacturing process. The coupling structure uses rigid attachment members with adjustment mechanisms that can be manufactured using standard machining processes, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble complex elastic components while maintaining the wear-reduction function through adjustable rigid coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling distance parameter is made adjustable through the adjustment mechanisms in the attachment members. This allows the distance between links to be precisely controlled and fixed, maintaining optimal ball joint operation and reducing wear, while the adjustment capability enables easy manufacturing and assembly without requiring complex elastic member calibration.
3Productivity
If fixed distance coupling is used between links, then operational efficiency improves, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure incorporates dynamic adjustability through adjustment mechanisms in the attachment members. The distance between links can be adjusted during assembly or maintenance to optimize performance for different operational conditions, and then fixed to maintain stable operation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying requirements while maintaining high operational efficiency during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanisms allow the coupling distance to be preliminarily adjusted during assembly to optimal values before final fixation. This preliminary action enables the system to be configured for specific operational requirements, and once adjusted, the rigid coupling maintains this optimized distance for efficient operation, combining adaptability during setup with stability during use.
Data Source
AI summary
The coupling structure includes: a pair of attachment members that are supported on two links) that each have a longitudinal axis and move parallel to each other with a gap therebetween so as to be able to rotate about rotation axes that are perpendicular to a plane that includes the longitudinal axes of both the links; and a coupling mechanism that fixes the distance between the pair of attachment members in an adjustable manner.