Elastic Gap-Filling Support for Parallel Link Robot Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parallel link robots face challenges in cleaning and hygiene due to gaps between clamp components and link members, which retain cleaning fluids, posing issues in environments requiring high hygiene like food factories.

Innovation Solution

A support structure featuring a rod-like member surrounded by a clamp member with an elastic member made of liquid-impermeable material, filling the gap between the rod-like and clamp members to facilitate easy cleaning and drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamp component supports link members with a gap between them, then the link members can be securely held, but cleaning fluid remains in the gap making cleaning difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure holding of link membersVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful gap between the clamp component and link members is extracted/eliminated by introducing an elastic member that fills the space, removing the source of cleaning difficulty while preserving the secure holding function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An elastic member (flexible element) is introduced to fill the gap between the clamp component and link members. This flexible element can be compressed to allow assembly while maintaining contact pressure to eliminate gaps, ensuring both secure holding and cleanability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If bolts are used to tighten the flat plate member and recess member, then the link member is fixed securely, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing function and the gap-filling function are merged into a single elastic member. The elastic member simultaneously provides secure attachment (replacing the need for additional gap-filling components) and eliminates cleaning difficulties, simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the connection is changed from rigid (with gaps) to elastic (gap-free). The elastic member's ability to deform and conform to the link member surface eliminates gaps without requiring complex multi-component assembly, reducing structural complexity while maintaining fixing strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures reliable cleaning and drying without fluid retention, enhancing hygiene in applications like food factories by eliminating gaps between components.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member comprises a liquid impermeable material, and filling a space between the rod-like member and the clamp member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid impermeability: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentUS11745335B2Support structure, robot and parallel link robot

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 FANUC LTD

AI summary

Provided is a support structure comprising a link member (a rod-like member), a clamp member disposed to surround the link member, and an elastic member disposed between the link member and the clamp member, the support structure supports the link member inside the clamp member via the elastic member, and the elastic member comprises a liquid impermeable material, and fills a space between the link member and the clamp member.