Robot Arm Cable Routing via Segmented Protective Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long robot arms face difficulties in inserting and extending tubes or cables due to the complexity of accessing cable inlets and the risk of damage from bending.
Innovation Solution
A robot arm assembly design featuring a cable receiving tube and a transmission mechanism with a detachable protection cover and stepped holes in the axle base, allowing easy insertion and minimizing cable bending, with a gear transmission system to facilitate rotation of the arms and cable alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If robot arms are made very long to achieve high precision movements, then the working range and precision are improved, but it becomes difficult to insert tubes or cables into the cable inlet and extend them along the robot arms
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is divided into multiple segments: cable inlet at the base, cable receiving tubes at each joint section, and cable guides within the arms. This segmentation allows cables to be inserted and routed incrementally through each section rather than attempting to span the entire long arm length in one insertion, making the operation feasible
Solution Approach 2:
Cable receiving tubes and cable guides serve as intermediary structures that facilitate cable insertion and routing. These intermediaries provide protected pathways and alignment features that make it easier to insert cables into long robot arms by breaking down the complex insertion task into manageable sections
2Productivity
If tubes or cables are routed through long robot arms, then liquid or gas can be supplied for spraying or cleaning, but the tubes or cables are easily damaged when bent in the robot arms
Solution Approach 1:
Cable receiving tubes are installed beforehand to provide protected pathways for cables. These tubes act as cushioning structures that prevent direct contact between cables and sharp edges or pinch points in the robot arm joints, reducing the risk of damage before cables are even inserted
Solution Approach 2:
The cable receiving tubes provide flexible yet protective enclosures for the cables. These tubular structures allow cables to bend naturally while providing a protective shell that prevents external damage, accommodating the necessary flexibility for robot arm movement while maintaining cable integrity
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cable routing methods are used in long robot arms, then cables can connect to the arm, but the complexity of accessing cable inlets and the risk of damage from bending increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable inlet structure is merged with the robot arm base and joint sections, creating an integrated cable management system. The cable receiving tubes are combined with the arm structure itself rather than being separate additions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability for cable connections
Data Source
AI summary
A robot arm assembly includes a first robot arm, a second robot arm, a third robot arm, a connecting base, a first driving assembly, a second driving assembly, a third driving assembly, and a cable receiving tube. The connecting base includes a housing and a protection cover. A sidewall of the housing defines an opening. The protection cover covers the opening and is mounted on the housing. An end of the housing defines a cable inlet. The first driving assembly rotates the first robot arm. The second driving assembly rotates the second robot arm. The third driving assembly rotates the third robot arm. The cable receiving tube is received in the first robot arm, the second robot arm, and the third robot arm.