Parallel Link Mechanism Eliminates Bellows Leakage in Industrial Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robots with vertical movement shaft mechanisms using bellows face challenges in maintaining cleanliness due to dust and grease leakage during extension and contraction, and the limited material options for bellows complicate operation in specific environments.
Innovation Solution
A parallel link mechanism employing a harmonic drive gear reducer and auxiliary links between a fixed and movable base, eliminating the need for bellows by using sealed connections and a spur gear-like transmission mechanism that simplifies assembly and reduces the risk of leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bellows are used to protect the vertical movement shaft mechanism, then the mechanism is protected from dust and grease leakage, but the pressure changes during extension and contraction cause dust release and grease leakage, reducing cleanliness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the bellows component from the vertical movement shaft mechanism entirely. Instead of using a bellows to protect against dust and grease leakage, the patent employs a different approach by eliminating the need for bellows through a redesigned mechanism that uses a motor-driven system with gears and linkages, thereby solving the problem of dust and grease leakage caused by bellows pressure changes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical bellows-based protection system with a motor-driven transmission system consisting of a motor, gears, and parallel linkages. This substitution eliminates the pressure changes associated with bellows extension and contraction, thereby preventing dust release and grease leakage while maintaining the protective function
2Reliability
If bellows are used in the vertical movement shaft mechanism, then protection is provided, but the limited material range required for bellows makes it difficult to operate under particular circumstances involving specific gases or chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the bellows component from the system, eliminating the material limitations associated with bellows. By replacing the bellows with a motor-driven transmission system, the mechanism can operate under various particular circumstances involving specific gases or chemicals without being constrained by the limited material range required for bellows construction
3Reliability
If spur gears are used in the vertical movement shaft mechanism, then the bellows can be eliminated, but the teeth of the spur gears must be engaged together during assembly, making assembly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the transmission mechanism into modular components including a motor unit, gear train, and linkage system. This segmentation allows for pre-assembly of gear trains as complete units, which can then be easily installed as modules, thereby reducing the overall assembly complexity while maintaining the benefits of bellows elimination
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the gear trains and linkage mechanisms as complete functional units before final installation. This allows the complex gear engagement to be performed in advance under controlled conditions, simplifying the final assembly process of the vertical movement shaft mechanism
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 provides a cleaner and more reliable operation by preventing dust and grease leakage, simplifying the assembly process, and allowing industrial robots to function effectively in environments with specific gases or chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
The harmonic drive gear reducer has a body, an input shaft, a first output shaft, and a second output shaft
Implementation Method 2
The first arm has a proximal end pivotally connected to the fixed base and a distal end connected to the body of the reducer
Data Source
AI summary
A parallel link mechanism arranged between a fixed base and a movable base includes a harmonic drive gear reducer, a first arm, a second arm, a connection base, a first auxiliary link, and a second auxiliary link. The harmonic drive gear reducer has a body, an input shaft, a first output shaft, and a second output shaft. The first arm has a proximal end pivotally connected to the fixed base and a distal end connected to the body of the reducer. The second arm has a proximal end connected to the second output shaft and a distal end pivotally connected to the movable base. The connection base is arranged outside the second arm with respect to the reducer and connected to the first output shaft. The first auxiliary link is arranged parallel with the first arm and has an end pivotally connected to the fixed base and an end pivotally connected to the connection base. The second auxiliary link is arranged parallel with the second arm and has an end pivotally connected to the connection base and an end pivotally connected to the movable base.