String-Connected Artificial Joint for Low-Friction Multi-Axis Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic joints lack flexibility and are prone to abrasion due to friction, making them unsuitable for long-term use in applications involving contact with humans, as they typically have rigid bodies and limited rotational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An artificial joint design featuring a first and second joint member connected by main and sub-strings, allowing for rotational degrees of freedom and flexibility in roll, yaw, and pitch directions, reducing friction and enabling long-term use by distributing impact effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid bodies are tightly fixed to each other in existing robotic joints, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and rotational adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure is divided into multiple rigid body members (first joint member, second joint member, third joint member) connected through string mechanisms. Each member can be independently positioned and controlled, allowing the system to achieve both stability through rigid connections and flexibility through the string-mediated degrees of freedom between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
String mechanisms are used to connect rigid body members, replacing traditional rigid mechanical connections. The strings act as flexible elements that allow rotational movement and adaptability while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the joint to simulate human-like flexible movement patterns.
2Strength
If rigid bodies are used in existing mechanical joints, then structural strength is improved, but friction and abrasion increase
Solution Approach 1:
String mechanisms serve as intermediary elements between rigid body members, transferring forces and moments while minimizing direct contact and friction between rigid surfaces. This reduces wear and abrasion on the rigid components, extending the durability of the joint system while maintaining structural strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control techniques are used to provide rotational flexibility, then operational flexibility is improved, but mechanical simplicity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system incorporates dynamic string mechanisms that passively enable rotational movement between rigid body members. The strings can tension and relax to allow rotation in multiple directions (pitch, yaw, roll) without requiring complex active control systems, achieving rotational flexibility through mechanical dynamics rather than electronic control.
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial joint is provided. The artificial joint may comprise: a first joint member including a first bone replacement part, and a (1-1)st branch and a (1-2)st branch branched from opposite sides of the first bone replacement part; a second joint member including a second bone replacement part, and a (2-1)nd branch and a (2-2)nd branch branched from opposite sides of the second bone replacement part; a first main string connecting one side of the (1-1)st branch and one side of the (2-1)nd branch; a second main string connecting the one side of the (1-1)st branch and one side of the (2-2)nd branch; a third main string connecting one side of the (1-2)st branch and the one side of the (2-1)nd branch; and a fourth main string connecting the one side of the (1-2)st branch and the one side of the (2-2)nd branch.