Compact Robot Servo Gear Layout for High Torque in Tight Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing servo mechanisms for robots are not optimized for small internal spaces, limiting their integration into compact robotic designs, particularly in humanoid robots where space is constrained.

Innovation Solution

A compact servo design featuring a gear set with multiple meshing gears, a coreless motor, and a potentiometer arrangement that maximizes internal space usage, allowing for a thin and tall form factor suitable for biceps joints in robots, with a strong torque output and efficient space management through strategic placement of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional servo mechanisms are used, then reliable motion control is achieved, but the internal space requirement is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal spaceVSAvoidmotion control reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested gear arrangement where a fourth gear is positioned inside the third gear, and a fifth gear is positioned inside the fourth gear. This nested configuration allows multiple gears to occupy the same radial space, significantly reducing the overall volume of the gear set while maintaining the reduction function and motion control reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a traditional planar gear arrangement to a three-dimensional nested configuration. By stacking gears in concentric circles and utilizing the axial dimension, the design achieves compactness in the radial direction while maintaining sufficient torque transmission capability for reliable motion control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If gear set size is reduced, then space efficiency is improved, but torque transmission capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear set volumeVSAvoidtorque transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The nested gear configuration allows four different gear ratios to be achieved within a compact volume by stacking gears concentrically. The multiple meshing points and distributed gear arrangement ensure that torque is effectively transmitted through multiple contact points, maintaining force transmission capability despite the reduced overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple gear functions into a single integrated gear set assembly. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth gears work together in a coordinated nested arrangement, merging what would traditionally require separate reduction stages into one compact unit that maintains full torque transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11976709B2Servo and robot
Publication Date: 2024.05.07 ROBOSEN ROBOTICS (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • US11976709B2 patent drawing
  • US11976709B2 patent drawing
  • US11976709B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A servo and a robot with the same are provided. The servo comprises a servo body, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a gear set having a plurality of gears meshing with each other. The gear set is located in the servo body, and comprises an output gear located in the center of the servo body as seen from the cross section of the servo body.