Robot Arm Brake Disc Moment Arm Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brake devices for robot arms face challenges in generating sufficient braking force due to the close proximity of the ratchet and friction ring to the shaft, leading to increased manufacturing costs and difficulty in assembly, especially when dealing with larger or faster robot arms.
Innovation Solution
A brake device with a larger diameter brake disc and a mechanism that extends the moment arm of the friction force through guiding pins and a combining pin, allowing for increased friction contact area and reduced prepressing force, which enhances the braking moment and extends the service life of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the ratchet and friction ring are fixed close to the shaft to save space, then the mechanical structure is compact, but the brake moment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the brake disc radius in the radial dimension away from the shaft, increasing the moment arm of the friction force. The brake disc is positioned at a distance from the shaft, creating a larger lever arm that amplifies the braking effect without increasing the axial or circumferential dimensions of the compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a combining plate and combining pin as intermediary elements between the shaft and the brake disc. The combining pin selectively enters or leaves the rotating path of the ratchet, mediating the force transmission and enabling the brake disc to exert sufficient braking moment through these intermediate components.
2Force
If the prepressing force is increased to enhance friction force, then the brake moment is sufficient, but the manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing prepressing force, the invention increases the brake disc radius to extend the moment arm. This dimensional change allows sufficient brake moment to be achieved with moderate friction force, avoiding the need for high prepressing forces that would require stronger materials and more complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the brake disc (its radius) rather than changing the force parameter (prepressing force). This parameter change enables the system to achieve the required brake moment through a larger moment arm, reducing the stress requirements on components and simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
3Force
If the brake disc diameter is increased to extend the moment arm, then the braking moment is sufficient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is nested within the existing driving module housing, with the brake disc, brake resilient plate, and other components arranged in a compact, concentric configuration around the shaft. This nesting approach allows the larger brake disc to be integrated without proportionally increasing the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combining plate serves multiple functions: it supports the brake disc, guides the combining pin, and transmits forces between components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed, offsetting the complexity introduced by the larger brake disc diameter.
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 effectively increases the braking moment and prevents the robot arm from rotating due to excessive torque, reducing wear on parts and improving precision in stopping the shaft, thus addressing the limitations of conventional brake devices.
Implementation Method 1
A friction force is formed between the brake disc and the brake resilient plate
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of recovering springs sheathes on each of the plurality of guiding pins. The plurality of recovering springs abuts between the brake disc and the combining plate
Implementation Method 3
The solenoid valve controls the operating rod to retract or extend
Data Source
AI summary
A brake device of a robot arm utilizes a brake disc whose diameter is much larger than a diameter of a ratchet for increasing a contacting area of the brake disc, so as to generate a greater friction force. The brake device further utilizes a combining pin, a combining plate, and a plurality of guiding pins for transferring a rotating torque to the brake device having a larger diameter, so as to extend a moment arm of the friction force and generate a greater moment, which reduces a prepressing force and extends life of the brake device.