Mechanical Link With Coiled Flexible Member for Multi-Axis Rotation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical links fail to accommodate simultaneous movement about multiple axes, leading to increased complexity, cost, and weight in guiding and protecting flexible members like conductors and hoses in applications requiring complex three-dimensional movements.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical link comprising rotatable first and second arms with a coiled flexible member that can coil and twist to accommodate rotation about mutually orthogonal axes, allowing for complex three-dimensional movement while minimizing weight and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate joints are used to accommodate movement about multiple axes simultaneously, then the flexible member can be protected and guided, but the device complexity, cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and guidance of flexible memberVSAvoidnumber of separate joints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate joints into a single integrated joint that can accommodate movement about multiple axes simultaneously. The joint housing contains multiple arms (first arm, second arm, third arm) that can rotate about different axes, with a single flexible member running through all arms and featuring multiple coiled portions (first coiled portion, second coiled portion, third coiled portion) that respectively accommodate rotation about each axis. This merging reduces the number of separate joint components while maintaining protection and guidance functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single joint housing serves multiple functions by accommodating rotation about multiple axes simultaneously. The first arm with its coiled portion handles rotation about a first axis, the second arm with its coiled portion handles rotation about a second axis, and the third arm with its coiled portion handles rotation about a third axis. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate single-axis joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate joints are used to accommodate movement about multiple axes simultaneously, then the flexible member can be protected and guided, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and guidance of flexible memberVSAvoidweight of joint assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate joints into a single integrated joint that can accommodate movement about multiple axes simultaneously. The joint housing contains multiple arms (first arm, second arm, third arm) that can rotate about different axes, with a single flexible member running through all arms and featuring multiple coiled portions (first coiled portion, second coiled portion, third coiled portion) that respectively accommodate rotation about each axis. This merging reduces the number of separate joint components while maintaining protection and guidance functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate joints are used to accommodate movement about multiple axes simultaneously, then the flexible member can be protected and guided, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and guidance of flexible memberVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate joints into a single integrated joint that can accommodate movement about multiple axes simultaneously. The joint housing contains multiple arms (first arm, second arm, third arm) that can rotate about different axes, with a single flexible member running through all arms and featuring multiple coiled portions (first coiled portion, second coiled portion, third coiled portion) that respectively accommodate rotation about each axis. This merging reduces the number of separate joint components while maintaining protection and guidance functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a single coiled portion is used to accommodate rotation about multiple axes, then the design is simplified, but the flexible member must accommodate complex three-dimensional movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of coiled portionsVSAvoidaccommodation of three-dimensional movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible member is segmented into multiple functional portions: straight sections that provide structural continuity and coiled portions that provide flexibility and accommodation for rotation. The first coiled portion accommodates rotation about a first axis, the second coiled portion accommodates rotation about a second axis, and the third coiled portion accommodates rotation about a third axis. This segmentation allows each portion to specialize in accommodating movement about a specific axis while maintaining overall flexibility for complex three-dimensional movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible member incorporates coiled portions that can dynamically change their configuration - coiling and uncoiling - to accommodate rotation about different axes. The coiled portions can expand and contract, twist and untwist, allowing the flexible member to adapt to complex three-dimensional movements while maintaining electrical connectivity and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables robust and cost-effective guidance and protection of flexible members during complex three-dimensional movements by simplifying design and reducing the risk of damage through a single continuous coiled conductor that can coil and twist, eliminating the need for multiple joints.

Implementation Method 1

the coiled portion can coil and uncoil to accommodate rotation of the first arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoiling: Helix

Implementation Method 2

the coiled portion is further configured to twist about an axis of the flexible member to accommodate rotation of the second arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTwisting:

Data Source

PatentEP3249254B1Mechanical link

Publication Date: 2019.05.01 ULTRA ELECTRONICS LTD

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AI summary

A mechanical link (100), the mechanical link (100) comprising a first arm (120), a second arm (140) and an interconnection member (160), wherein: the first arm (120) is rotatable about a first axis of the interconnection member (160); the second arm (140) is rotatable about a second axis of the interconnection member (160), the second axis being orthogonal to the first axis; and wherein: the flexible member (400) extends along the first and second arms (120, 140) and is adapted to accommodate rotation of the arms (120, 140) about the first and second axes, the flexible member (400) having a single coiled portion (440) which is received within the interconnection member (160) such that the coiled portion (440) can coil and uncoil to accommodate rotation of the first arm (120), wherein the coiled portion (440) is further configured to twist about an axis of the flexible member (400) to accommodate rotation of the second arm (140).