Insulating Unit for Robotic Arm End Effector
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing installation of insulating members on robotic arms for high-voltage end effectors is time-consuming and requires structural changes, making it inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An insulating unit with an intermediate member fixed to the robotic arm's tip-end member and an insulating member between the intermediate and tip-end members, featuring pre-formed mounting holes that align with existing holes on the arm, allowing for simplified and accurate attachment of the end effector without altering the arm's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulating member is installed on the robotic arm by removing and reinstalling the wrist flange, then electrical insulation is achieved, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires structural changes
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate member is introduced as a mediator between the wrist flange and the end effector. This intermediate member includes mounting holes that align with both the wrist flange mounting holes and the end effector mounting holes, allowing the insulating member to be installed without removing the wrist flange. The intermediate member acts as a bridge that maintains electrical insulation while preserving the original structural configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure is segmented into three distinct components: the wrist flange, the intermediate member, and the end effector. This segmentation allows the insulating member to be installed on the intermediate member independently, without requiring disassembly of the wrist flange-end effector connection. The segmentation enables modular installation and maintains electrical insulation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the wrist flange is removed and reinstalled to install the insulating member, then electrical insulation is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member serves as an intermediary component that simplifies the overall structure by providing a dedicated mounting surface for the insulating member. Instead of modifying the wrist flange structure, the intermediate member with pre-aligned mounting holes creates a straightforward assembly path that reduces structural complexity while maintaining electrical insulation.
3Reliability
If mounting holes are formed in the tip-end member for insulating member installation, then electrical insulation can be installed, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member is designed with mounting holes that are preliminarily formed during its manufacturing process. These mounting holes are pre-positioned to align with both the wrist flange and end effector mounting holes. By performing the hole formation action in advance during intermediate member manufacturing rather than during final assembly, the ease of manufacture is improved and assembly time is reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process is segmented so that the intermediate member is manufactured separately with its mounting holes already formed. This segmentation allows the mounting holes to be created using optimized manufacturing processes for the intermediate member's material and geometry, rather than requiring complex hole formation operations on the tip-end member assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating structure disposed so as to intervene between a first member of a robotic arm and an end effector includes a second member fixed to the first member, the end effector being attachable to the second member, and an insulator that insulates the second member from the first member. The second member includes a second hole into which a first bolt that fixes the second member to the first member is inserted, and a third hole into which a second bolt that fixes the end effector to the second member is inserted. The second hole and the third hole are disposed so that, in a state where the second member is fixed to the first member, the position of the third hole matches with the position of a first hole for attachment of the end effector, the first hole being formed beforehand in the first member.