Deformable Cable Support Structure with Stopping Parts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable support systems for industrial robots face issues with maintaining cable integrity during robotic arm movements, as they either become excessively slack or tightly wound, leading to potential breakage or interference with peripheral devices, and require additional support structures that increase size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A deformable structure with elongate segments and stopping parts that allow the cable to maintain a predetermined curvature, preventing deformation into smaller radii and distributing forces to avoid breakage, while allowing flexibility and maintaining position without additional support members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deformable structure with pin-connected chain links is used, then the structure can be flexible and adapt to robotic arm movements, but the joint strength is low and the structure cannot support heavy cables or high acceleration loads
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable structure is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by hinge joints, allowing each segment to maintain structural integrity while the overall structure remains flexible. The stopping parts are positioned at specific locations on each segment to control deformation without compromising joint strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable structure is designed to bend into a circular arc shape with a predetermined radius of curvature. The stopping parts constrain the segments to maintain this curvature, preventing deformation into smaller radii that would cause cable damage, while allowing the structure to flex within the designed curvature parameters.
2Reliability
If additional support members are added to maintain the deformable structure's position, then the structure can prevent cable deformation, but the system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable structure is self-supporting through its own geometric design and the strategic placement of stopping parts. The structure maintains its circular arc configuration and protects the cable through its inherent geometry rather than requiring external support members, thereby reducing system complexity while ensuring cable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure dynamically adapts to robotic arm movements through hinge joints that allow segment rotation, while the stopping parts ensure the structure always returns to or maintains its optimal circular arc configuration. This dynamic behavior provides cable protection without requiring additional active support mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the deformable structure is allowed to deform freely, then the cable can accommodate robotic movements, but the cable becomes excessively slack or tightly wound leading to breakage or interference
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping parts are pre-positioned on each segment at locations that correspond to the optimal deformation limits. As the robotic arm moves and the structure deforms, these pre-positioned stopping parts automatically engage to prevent the structure from deforming beyond the safe curvature radius, thereby preventing cable slack or excessive tension before damage can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is designed to maintain a predetermined circular arc curvature that is optimized for cable protection. The stopping parts ensure that the segments bend along this predetermined curvature path, preventing deviation into smaller radii that would cause cable damage, while still allowing sufficient deformation to accommodate robotic movements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a deformable structure (83), connecting parts (101) each of which has a base part (102) are arranged longitudinally so that adjacent connecting parts are connected to each other. Respective first axes (Y) of the adjacent connecting parts (101) are inclined to each other in a state that a spacer (104) on one of the two adjacent base parts (102) comes into contact with the other base part. When an external force is exerted on the deformable structure, the spacers (104) restrain the deformable structure from being further curved into a radius of curvature smaller than a predetermined allowable radius of curvature. Most of the external force exerted on the deformable structure is born by the base parts (102) and the spacers (104) so that only a low force acts on the connecting parts (101). Thus the connecting parts do not break easily so that the deformable structure has a high strength.