Robot Arm Cap Snap-Fit Sealing Without Dust-Trapping Screws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot arm joints in clean room and medical technology industries face issues with dust and dirt accumulation due to screw holes for lids, which are unsuitable for these environments.
Innovation Solution
A cap is removably attached to a robot arm element using flexible suspension elements and protrusions/cavities, eliminating the need for screws and allowing easy attachment and detachment with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lid is screwed to the housing to enclose joint electronics and joint mechanics, then the joint is sealed, but screw holes collect dust and dirt which is unacceptable in clean room applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the traditional screwed lid entirely and replaces it with a cap that integrates the sealing function directly into the robot arm joint housing through cavities and protrusions. This extraction of the separate lid component eliminates the screw holes that cause dust accumulation while maintaining the sealing function through the cavity-protrusion interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap acts as a flexible sealing element that deformably engages with the cavities and protrusions to create a dust-tight seal. The flexible nature of the cap allows it to conform to the housing surface and maintain sealing without requiring rigid fastening with screws, thus avoiding dust-collecting screw holes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a cap is attached using screws, then the cap is securely fixed, but screws and loose parts may be lost and complicate assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into multiple cavities and protrusions distributed around the cap-housing interface. This segmentation provides cumulative securing force through multiple engagement points, achieving stable fixation without requiring screws. The segmented design allows the cap to be securely attached while maintaining ease of manual assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavities and protrusions act as intermediary elements that mediate the connection between the cap and housing. Instead of using screws as the intermediary fastening element, the invention uses the cavity-protrusion geometric interface as the mediator, enabling secure attachment without loose parts that could be lost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a cap is permanently attached to the robot arm, then branding and aesthetic customization is achieved, but the cap cannot be easily replaced or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The cap connection system is designed to be dynamically changeable rather than permanently fixed. The cavity-protrusion interface allows the cap to be easily attached and detached, enabling dynamic reconfiguration for different branding or aesthetic requirements. This dynamic design maintains secure attachment during use while allowing easy replacement when needed.
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 secure, dust-free connection that enhances branding and aesthetic customization while maintaining the integrity of the robot arm's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible suspension element, wherein, when said cap is connected to said robot arm element, said upper protrusion is fixed in an engaged position in said upper cavity and said first lower protrusion is fixed in an engaged position in said at least first lower cavity by said flexible suspension element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to as a cap removably connectable to a robot arm element, the robot arm element comprises a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface. The cap is removably connectable to the outer surface via an upper cavity connectable to an upper protrusion and via at least a first lower cavity connectable to a first lower protrusion. When the cap is connected to the robot arm element, the upper protrusion is fixed in an engaged position in the upper cavity and the first lower protrusion is fixed in an engaged position in the at least first lower cavity by a flexible suspension element.