Reinforced Plastic Robotic Arm Structure for Stronger Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial robotic arms made of plastic material face issues with insufficient connection strength between components, creep risk under stress, and structural weakness due to openings, leading to potential loosening and breakage over time.

Innovation Solution

A robotic arm body comprising a plastic structural part with integrated reinforcement parts, such as metal plates or ribs, fixed via screw connections, thermal fusing, or adhesives, to enhance structural strength and stability, particularly at openings and mounting interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plastic material is used to construct structural members, then manufacturing cost is reduced and manufacturing precision is improved, but structural strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic structural members with reinforcement parts made of metal or high-strength plastic. The reinforcement parts are integrated into the plastic components through embedding, injection molding, or separate attachment methods, creating a composite structure that leverages the cost-effectiveness and design flexibility of plastic while incorporating the high strength and rigidity of metal or advanced plastic materials to meet load-bearing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If openings are provided in the body portion, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcement parts specifically at locations where openings are present in the body portion. These reinforcement parts are strategically positioned to strengthen the plastic component at critical stress points around openings, allowing the openings to maintain their assembly benefits while preventing structural weakness and potential failure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If reinforcement parts are added to strengthen the body, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating reinforcement parts with the plastic structural members through various methods including embedding during molding, injection of reinforcement materials, or attachment via embedding features. This integration approach combines the strengthening function with the structural component, reducing the need for separate complex assembly systems while maintaining enhanced strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Weight of moving object

If plastic material is used instead of metal, then weight is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to creep risk under stress

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses creep risk in plastic materials by creating composite structures where plastic components are combined with reinforcement parts made of metal or high-strength plastic. This composite approach maintains the weight advantages of plastic while the reinforcement elements provide resistance to creep and stress, ensuring long-term reliability under continuous operational loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 reinforcement parts significantly improve the structural integrity and connection strength of plastic robotic arms, reducing the risk of breakage and loosening, ensuring durability and ease of assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the reinforcement part is fixed to the body portion via at least one of the following: screw connection, thermal fusing, snap-fitting, and adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal fusing:

Data Source

PatentUS20260077513A1Robotic arm
Publication Date: 2026.03.19 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • US20260077513A1 patent drawing
  • US20260077513A1 patent drawing
  • US20260077513A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A robotic arm body includes a structural part including a body portion made of plastic material and including an inner chamber; at least one mounting interface provided on the body portion and configured to be connected to a second component of a robot; an opening provided in the body portion and communicating with the inner chamber; and a reinforcement part fixed to the body portion at the opening.