Modular Robot Arm Multifunctional Rotation Transfer System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial robot arm systems face limitations in rotational flexibility and interface compatibility, which restrict their ability to achieve rotational angles greater than 360° and require multiple interfaces for data, energy, and fluid transmission.

Innovation Solution

The development of an arm module for modular robot arms, featuring a housing with a rotatable connection side and a fixed connection side, along with a multifunctional rotation transfer system that includes an electrical slip ring device and a fluidic rotation passage, enabling the transfer of data signals, electrical energy, and fluid across rotating connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If drag chains are used to guide lines through mechanical interfaces, then electrical energy and data signals can be transmitted, but arbitrary rotations greater than 360° are not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational flexibilityVSAvoidmechanical interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drag chain system with an electrical slip ring device that uses electrical contacts to transmit power and signals through the rotating interface. This substitution eliminates the mechanical constraints of drag chains, enabling arbitrary rotations greater than 360° while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple separate interfaces are used for data, energy, and fluid transmission, then each function can be independently optimized, but the overall system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple transmission functions (electrical energy, data signals, and fluid) into a single integrated rotatable connection interface. The housing with rotatable connection device incorporates an electrical slip ring for power and signals, and a fluidic rotation passage for fluid transmission, all within one mechanical interface. This merging reduces the number of separate interfaces while maintaining reliable transmission of all functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a multifunctional rotation transfer system is implemented, then continuous rotation beyond 360° is enabled, but the system requires integration of multiple transmission media

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational rangeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal rotatable connection interface that simultaneously handles multiple transmission functions. The housing with rotatable connection device serves as a multi-functional component that integrates electrical slip rings for power and signals, fluidic passages for fluid transmission, and mechanical support for arbitrary rotations. This universal design simplifies manufacturing by consolidating multiple functions into a single manufacturable assembly rather than requiring separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for continuous rotational flexibility beyond 360°, ensures reliable transmission of electrical energy and fluid, and provides a compact, cost-effective, and space-saving design for industrial robot arms.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical slip ring device including a brush device having brushes and a slip contact ring device having slip contacts, said slip contact ring device being disposed on said output shaft of said shaft assembly at a longitudinal end section of the output shaft opposite to the rotatable first connection device such that said slip contacts of said electrical slip contact ring device co-rotate with said output shaft and tap electricity from the associated brushes of said brush device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a fluidic rotation passage having a fluid supply device having circumferential fluid channels as a stator and fluid lines arranged within the output shaft as a rotor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS12285860B2Arm module for a modular robotic arm of an industrial robot

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 BECKHOFF AUTOMATION GMBH

AI summary

An arm module has a housing with a first connection side and a second connection side. The first connection side is embodied to be controllably rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the second connection side. The first connection side has a rotatable first connection device and the second connection side has a second connection device fixed to the housing. A multifunctional rotation transfer system is provided for rotational transmission of data signals, electrical energy and fluid. A drive device is provided comprising a shaft assembly having an output shaft, which is connected to the rotatable first connection device of the first connection side in a torque-proof manner, wherein the shaft assembly forms a section of the multifunctional rotation transfer system.