Magnetic Coupling for Welding Robot Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision protection devices for welding robots have issues with external hose packs increasing collision risk and impairing response behavior, and fail to securely hold the welding torch after a collision, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A collision protection device with magnetically detachable coupling elements that guide the hose pack through the device, incorporating bellows for protection and strain relief, and allowing the hose pack to be connected to the torch before mounting, ensuring the hose pack remains attached during collisions and preventing external projections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the hose pack is guided externally of the robot arm, then the collision protection device can be constructed simply, but the risk of collision increases and response behavior is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The hose pack is threaded through the interior hollow space of the robot arm, nesting the hose within the robot arm structure rather than guiding it externally. This eliminates external projections that could cause collisions while maintaining construction simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose pack routing is moved from an external three-dimensional path to an internal path through the robot arm's hollow cross-section. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the hose from the external collision zone while maintaining connection functionality.
2Device complexity
If the hose pack is guided externally of the robot arm, then the device structure can be simplified, but the response behaviour of the collision protection device is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the hose pack within the robot arm's interior hollow space, the hose follows the robot arm's motion more closely without external lag or slack, improving the responsiveness of collision detection while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the coupling elements are detachable by magnets, then the device complexity is reduced, but the hose pack may disconnect during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements feature spherical magnet arrangements that provide omnidirectional magnetic attraction, ensuring the hose pack remains securely connected to the welding torch even during collision-induced movements, while maintaining simple detachable coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling strength is optimized to provide sufficient holding force during normal operation and collision events, allowing simple magnetic detachability while preventing unintended disconnection during collisions through proper magnetic field parameter selection.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If external projections are eliminated, then collision risk is reduced, but the hose pack connection becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hose pack is routed through the interior hollow space of the robot arm and collision protection device, nesting it within the structural envelope rather than external routing. This eliminates external projections that increase collision risk while the internal routing integrates with the existing structural pathways.
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 enhances response behavior, reduces collision risks, and securely holds the welding torch, preventing damage by maintaining hose pack connection and avoiding external projections, while ensuring the robot arm can be deactivated promptly in case of a collision.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a magnetic coupling of the two coupling elements of the collision protection device
Implementation Method 2
incorporating bellows for protection and strain relief
Data Source
AI summary
A collision protection device for connecting a welding torch connected to a hose pack to a robot arm of a welding robot, comprising two coupling elements that is adapted to be detachably connected to each other by means of magnets, wherein one coupling element is designed to be connected to the welding torch or to a torch coupling that is adapted to be connected to the welding torch, and the other coupling element is designed to be connected to the robot arm, and the coupling elements have openings. The openings in the coupling elements are designed for feeding the hose pack through, and the coupling element that is adapted to be connected to the welding torch or to the torch coupling, or the torch coupling comprises elements to be connected to the hose pack.