Resin Arm Structure With Continuous Fiber Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arm structures for industrial robots face challenges in achieving sufficient strength while minimizing weight, particularly in the use of resin materials with short reinforcement fibers that lack the necessary structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

The arm-shaped structure incorporates a pipe-shaped main body and attachment interfaces made from resin containing continuous reinforcement fibers, which are joined in a manner that prevents relative movement along the longitudinal axis, enhancing structural integrity and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If resin with short reinforcement fibers is used, then injection molding is easier, but structural strength and integrity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection molding easeVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fiber length parameter from short fibers (1-2mm) to continuous fibers (10mm or longer), fundamentally altering the material properties to achieve both high strength and manufacturability through resin transfer molding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the injection molding process with resin transfer molding, substituting a mechanical injection system with a pressure-driven resin infusion system that accommodates continuous fibers without damaging equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If continuous reinforcement fibers are used, then structural strength is enhanced, but injection molding becomes difficult and may damage equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidmolding difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces injection molding with resin transfer molding, a process where resin is transferred under pressure into a mold cavity containing continuous fibers, avoiding the mechanical injection issues while achieving strong joints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing process parameters from injection molding to resin transfer molding, including temperature, pressure, and resin flow control, to enable the use of continuous fibers without equipment damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If a long arm body is used, then weight reduction is achieved, but joint strength and resistance to shearing forces are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm weightVSAvoidjoint strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials consisting of resin matrices reinforced with continuous reinforcement fibers, providing high strength-to-weight ratio that enables long arm structures with both weight reduction and sufficient joint strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies continuous reinforcement fibers specifically at the attachment interfaces and critical stress areas, providing localized strength enhancement where needed while maintaining overall weight reduction in the arm structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12202133B2Arm-shaped structure and robot

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 FANUC LTD

AI summary

An arm-shaped structure includes a pipe-shaped main body and an attachment interface joined to at least one end of the main body and securable to another component. At least a portion of the main body and the attachment interface is formed by resin containing a continuous reinforcement fiber. The main body and the attachment interface are joined to each other in a state where relative movement along a longitudinal axis of the main body and around the longitudinal axis is prevented in accordance with engagement between a recess provided in one of the main body and the attachment interface and a protrusion provided in the other one of the main body and the attachment interface.