Continuum Robot Reconnectable Connection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuum robots face a technical challenge where power transmission is disrupted when the breakage-inducing portion of the wire connection member breaks, leading to an inability to resume power transmission until repairs are made.
Innovation Solution
A continuum robot design that includes a linear member with flexibility, a driving unit to actuate the linear member, and a connection device that can reconnect after disconnection, allowing for the re-establishment of power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a breakage-inducing portion is designed into the wire connection member to prevent serious damage, then the reliability of the system is improved by preventing wire breakage, but the power transmission cannot be resumed after disconnection until repairs are made
Solution Approach 1:
The wire connection member is divided into a wire, a connection portion, and a breakage-inducing portion. The breakage-inducing portion is specifically designed to break first under excessive tension, isolating the failure to a replaceable component while preserving the wire and connection device for potential reuse or quick replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakage-inducing portion is designed as a sacrificial element that breaks to protect more critical components. After breaking, this portion can be discarded and replaced, while the rest of the system remains intact and can quickly resume operation, minimizing downtime.
2Productivity
If the connection device and linear member are designed to be reconnectable after disconnection, then the productivity is improved by resuming power transmission quickly, but the device complexity increases due to the reconnection mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device includes a self-latching mechanism that automatically engages and locks the connection portion to the linear member when brought together. This self-service feature eliminates the need for complex manual alignment or multiple fastening steps, reducing the effective complexity while enabling quick reconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portions are pre-configured with alignment features and engagement geometries that guide them into proper alignment before final latching. This preliminary action simplifies the reconnection process by eliminating complex alignment procedures during the actual reconnection operation.
Data Source
AI summary
At least one continuum robot is provided, the continuum robot including a linear member having flexibility, a driving unit configured to actuate the linear member, a bendable portion configured to be bent by actuation of the linear member, and a connection device configured to be connected to the linear member and to transmit actuation power of the driving unit to the linear member. The connection device and the linear member are configured to be reconnected after the connection device and the linear member that have been connected are disconnected from each other.