Flywheel Energy Storage for Industrial Robot Retardation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional industrial robotics systems dissipate surplus energy as heat using brake resistors, leading to reduced lifespan of drive and control units and costly energy losses, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that uses a brake unit with a mechanical means like a flywheel to convert electric retardation energy into kinetic energy, storing it for later use, thereby reducing heat generation and extending the life of drive and control units, and allowing energy recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brake resistors are used to dissipate surplus energy, then voltage threshold is maintained, but energy is lost as heat and component lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of surplus energy dissipation into a beneficial energy storage mechanism. The mechanical means (flywheel) that would normally be considered a passive component becomes an active energy storage device, transforming waste heat energy into useful kinetic energy that can be recycled back to the drive units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and form of energy storage from thermal energy (heat in brake resistors) to mechanical kinetic energy (rotation of flywheel). This parameter change enables energy recycling while maintaining voltage control, resolving the contradiction between energy loss and reliability.
2Productivity
If brake resistors dissipate energy as heat, then voltage control is achieved, but heat generation reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical/thermal dissipation system (brake resistors converting electrical energy to heat) with a mechanical energy storage system (flywheel converting electrical energy to kinetic energy). This substitution eliminates harmful heat generation while maintaining voltage control capability.
3Loss of energy
If traditional brakechopper is used, then voltage threshold is maintained, but energy loss is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mechanical means is continuously monitored and controlled by the robot control unit. The kinetic energy stored in the flywheel is fed back to the drive units when needed, creating a closed-loop energy management system that maintains voltage control while recovering energy.
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 effectively recycles energy, reducing heat-related wear and enabling efficient energy reuse within the robotics system, thus extending the lifespan of components and minimizing energy losses.
Implementation Method 1
at retardation generates said retardation energy... the drive unit electrically connected to a brake unit which is arranged to bring a mechanical means in motion
Implementation Method 2
a brake unit which is arranged to bring a mechanical means in motion... whereby the apparatus recyclably absorbs said electric retardation energy
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an apparatus for recyclable absorption of electric retardation energy from a multiple axis industrial robotics system, including a robot control unit and at least one drive unit, which generates the electrical retardation energy at retardation. By an apparatus according to the present invention, the electric retardation energy, which occurs when a drive unit is retarded and is transferred into generator mode, may be recycled by the brake unit of the apparatus, which accelerates a mechanical device connected to the brake unit. The electric retardation energy is thus transferred into kinetic energy that may be stored in mechanical devices. An embodiment of the present invention also refers to a corresponding method for recyclable absorption of electric retardation energy from a multiple axis industrial robotics system.