Magnetic Overload Protection Device for Industrial Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overload protection devices for handling devices, such as industrial robots, face issues with functional reliability and require supply lines for prestressing energy, particularly when using pressure media, which can be cumbersome and prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

The overload protection device employs a magnetic conductor and magnets to generate a stable magnetic field, with a magnetic field sensor detecting changes in the field to trigger a switching signal when the holder leaves its basic position, eliminating the need for additional components and supply lines, and utilizing holding magnets to provide the prestressing force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If pressure media are used to supply prestressing energy, then the prestressing device can generate sufficient force, but supply lines are required which are cumbersome and prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprestressing forceVSAvoidsupply lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure media supply system with a magnetic field-based prestressing device. The magnetic conductor and magnets generate a stable magnetic field that provides prestressing force without requiring supply lines, thereby eliminating the complexity and vulnerability of mechanical connection lines while maintaining sufficient force generation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field-based prestressing device is self-contained and does not require external supply lines for energy or force transmission. The system generates its own prestressing force through the interaction between the magnetic conductor and magnets, making it independent and eliminating the need for vulnerable external connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If traditional switching devices are used to detect holder position, then switching signals can be generated, but functional reliability is problematic especially when components need replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching signal generationVSAvoidfunctional reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electronic switching devices with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetic conductor and magnetic field sensor work together to detect holder position changes and generate switching signals without mechanical contact or complex electronics, significantly improving functional reliability and eliminating the need for component replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If additional components are added to detect position changes, then switching signals can be generated, but the device becomes more complex and requires more supply lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detectionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the prestressing function and position detection function into a single integrated magnetic field-based system. The magnetic conductor serves both to generate prestressing force and to enable position detection through its interaction with the magnetic field sensor, eliminating the need for separate components and supply lines for each function

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

This solution enhances the reliability and simplifies the design by using a magnetic field to detect position changes without additional components, providing a stable prestressing force and reducing noise and wear, while allowing for efficient operation without external energy supply lines.

Implementation Method 1

one magnetic conductor and the magnets that influence the magnetic field of the magnetic conductor, as well as the magnetic field sensor, are arranged on the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2803454B1Overload protection device
Publication Date: 2016.12.21 SCHUNK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2803454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an overload protection device (10) with a housing (12) which is provided for attachment to a handling device or a tool, with a holder (14) movably attached to the housing (12) for attaching a tool or a handling device, with a preloading device (12) for generating a preload force between the housing (12) and the holder (14) which forces the holder into a home position, and with a switching device with which a switching signal can be generated when the holder (14) leaves its home position.