Foldable Robotic Arm with Nested Bent Structures for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic arms in self-moving cleaning devices are large in dimension, making storage difficult and limiting their operational and cleaning range.
Innovation Solution
A three-arm-segment foldable robotic arm design with two first robotic joints, featuring bent structures at both ends of the connecting arm for a convex-concave fit with the support and working arms, allowing for compact storage and increased motion range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic arm is added to the self-moving cleaning device to enable grasping or movement of obstacles or garbage, then the cleaning function is improved, but the device becomes large in dimension and storage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is divided into multiple segments (support arm, connecting arm, working arm) that can be folded relative to each other through robotic joints, allowing the arm to be compact for storage yet extended for operation
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm employs foldable joints that enable dynamic transformation between extended and compact states, allowing the arm to adapt its configuration based on operational needs versus storage requirements
2Length of moving object
If the robotic arm is made larger to increase motion range, then the cleaning range is expanded, but storage becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is segmented into multiple sections connected by joints, allowing each segment to be compact when folded while maintaining full extension capability when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable design allows inner arm segments to nest within or alongside outer segments when folded, maximizing space efficiency during storage while preserving full operational length
3Volume of moving object
If the connecting arm is designed with bent structures for compact folding, then space efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Bent structures with convex-concave shapes are incorporated into the connecting arm, allowing the arm to fold compactly while maintaining structural integrity through the geometric interlocking of curved surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
A robotic arm (001), comprising : a supporting arm (60), a connecting arm (70), a working arm (80) and two first robotic joints (30), wherein a first end of the connecting arm (70) is connected to the supporting arm (60) by means of one of the first robotic joints (30), thereby allowing the connecting arm (70) to be folded or unfolded relative to the supporting arm (60); and a second end of the connecting arm (70) is connected to the working arm (80) by means of the other one of the first robotic joints (30), thereby allowing the working arm (80) to be folded or unfolded relative to the connecting arm (70). Bent structures are provided on two ends of the connecting arm (70), wherein when the connecting arm (70) is in a folded state relative to both the supporting arm (60) and the working arm (80), the two bent structures are respectively embedded in the supporting arm (60) and the working arm (80) in a protruding and recessed manner. Further provided is a self-moving cleaning apparatus (002).