Conduit-Balancer Link for Robotic Welding Conduit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In robotic MIG welding processes, the electrode wire conduit often becomes intertwined or tangled, leading to damage and restricted movement, which is not effectively controlled by existing methods.
Innovation Solution
A conduit-balancer link system comprising a first member with a leg portion and a second member with a U-shaped profile, secured together with fasteners, and attachable to a balancing member to maintain conduit position and prevent tangling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the conduit is routed inside conduit to prevent damage, then the electrode wire is protected from damage, but the conduit becomes intertwined or tangled during robotic welding
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system is divided into multiple segments: the conduit itself, a conduit mount, and a balancing member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the conduit protects the wire, the mount secures the conduit path, and the balancing member prevents tangling by counteracting gravitational forces on the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing member acts as a counterweight to the conduit, counteracting the gravitational force that causes the conduit to sag and tangle during robotic welding movements. This directly addresses the contradiction by preventing conduit instability while maintaining wire protection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the conduit position is controlled to prevent tangling, then the conduit remains stable, but the robot motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing member is designed to dynamically adjust and follow the robot's movements. Rather than rigidly fixing the conduit position, the balancing member adapts its position in real-time to maintain conduit stability while accommodating the full range of robot motion, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a conduit mount is secured to the conduit with an opening for attaching to the balancing member, then the conduit position is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit mount combines multiple functions into a single component: it secures the conduit, provides an attachment point for the balancing member, and maintains the conduit position. This merging reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate components for each function, while still achieving stable conduit position control.
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit-balancer link system may be used to control the path of conduit in a robotic welding process. The conduit-balancer link system includes a first member having a leg portion with an interior surface and an outer portion attachable to a balancing member. The conduit-balancer link system also includes a second member having a generally u-shaped outer profile with two parallel extending members. A conduit is routed between the interior surface of the first member and an inner portion of the second member. Fasteners are used to secure the second member to the first member with the conduit routed between.