Integrated Robot Joint Module for Lower Complexity and Cost

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial robot arms face challenges in structural complexity and cost inefficiencies due to separate components that are not easily integrated, making them less effective for heavy object handling and increasing labor costs.

Innovation Solution

An integrated joint module for industrial robot arms that includes a housing, driving assembly, speed reduction assembly, braking assembly, and encoding assembly, where components are directly or indirectly mounted on a unified housing, simplifying the structure and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate components are used for driving assembly, speed reduction assembly, braking assembly, and encoding assembly, then each component can be independently manufactured and maintained, but the overall structure becomes complex and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent manufacturing capabilityVSAvoidOverall structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the driving assembly, speed reduction assembly, braking assembly, and encoding assembly into a single integrated joint module with a unified housing. This merging reduces the number of separate components, simplifies the overall structure, and lowers assembly complexity while maintaining the functional independence of each sub-assembly through modular internal design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple separate assemblies are used in the robot arm joint, then functional requirements can be met, but the dead weight increases and overall precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFunctional requirement fulfillmentVSAvoidJoint module dead weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating multiple assemblies into a single joint module with shared housing and common mounting structures, the patent reduces redundant materials and connection elements. This merging decreases the overall dead weight of the joint module while maintaining all required functions through carefully designed internal arrangements of the driving, speed reduction, braking, and encoding assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of repair

If separate components are used for each assembly, then maintenance and replacement can be done individually, but the assembly and integration process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndividual component replacementVSAvoidAssembly and integration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs modular design within the integrated joint module, where each assembly (driving, speed reduction, braking, encoding) is designed as a distinct functional unit with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows individual assemblies to be independently manufactured, tested, and replaced when needed, while the unified housing and standardization reduce the overall assembly time during integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional separate component design is used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall cost efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveComponent optimization capabilityVSAvoidIntegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple assemblies into an integrated joint module that shares common housing, mounting structures, and alignment references. This integration reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes, simplifies quality control, and lowers overall production costs while maintaining the ability to independently optimize each functional assembly through modular internal design and standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integrated joint module simplifies the structure of the robot arm, reduces costs, and enhances its ability to handle heavy loads while maintaining precision and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an area of a cross section of the pair of contact surfaces perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft gradually increases or decreases along the axial direction of the output shaft. The base is configured to provide a pressing force to the pair of contact surfaces along the axial direction of the output shaft after being fixed, to allow the rotating shaft to rotate with the output shaft under an action of a friction between the pair of contact surfaces.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4349538B1Industrial robot arm and integrated joint module
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SHENZHEN YUEJIANG TECH CO LTD
  • EP4349538B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4349538B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4349538B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An integrated joint module (11) includes a housing (111), a driving assembly (112), a speed reduction assembly (113), a braking assembly (114) and an encoding assembly (115). The housing includes a first housing (1111) and a second housing (1112), an annular supporting platform (1113) is arranged on an inner side of the first housing. The driving assembly includes an output shaft (1121), a stator (1123) embedded in the annular supporting platform, and a rotor (1122) connected with the output shaft and arranged on an inner side of the stator, the speed reduction assembly and the braking assembly are connected with two ends of the output shaft. The encoding assembly is arranged on a side of the braking assembly away from the driving assembly and connected with the output shaft, the second housing is sleeved on the encoding assembly and connected with the first housing. The integrated joint module helps to simplify the structure of the joint module and reduce the cost.