Robot Arm Orthogonal Passive Shaft Internal Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
In articulated robots, the compact layout of components within the arm leads to deformation of flexible connecting members during arm rotation, necessitating increased housing space and a larger outer rotation radius, which complicates downsizing efforts.
Innovation Solution
A supporting unit with a rotatable first passive shaft part and a first arm that protrudes internal space orthogonally to the shaft, allowing for an enlarged internal space without expanding the outer periphery surface radius, thereby accommodating more components like batteries and sensors without increasing the arm's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the part layout within the arm is tightened for downsizing, then the arm size is reduced, but the flexible connecting members are deformed during arm rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a passive shaft part that extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis, creating a new spatial dimension for routing flexible connecting members. This allows the members to be guided through a three-dimensional path that avoids deformation during rotation while maintaining compact arm dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive shaft part serves as an intermediary structure between the motor and the arm. It provides a dedicated pathway and support for flexible connecting members, acting as a mediator that prevents direct contact and deformation of these members during arm rotation.
2Reliability
If the housing space for connecting members is enlarged to prevent deformation, then the rotation radius of the arm is increased, but the downsizing goal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the rotation radius (two-dimensional expansion), the patent utilizes the orthogonal dimension by extending the passive shaft part perpendicular to the rotation axis. This creates additional housing space in a different spatial direction, allowing flexible connecting members to be accommodated without increasing the arm's rotation radius.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive shaft part is integrated within the arm structure, and the flexible connecting members are routed through the space created by the shaft part. This nested arrangement allows the housing space to be incorporated into the existing arm volume without requiring external expansion of the rotation radius.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more components are housed in the arm to improve functionality, then the internal space requirement is increased, but the arm size must be enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The passive shaft part creates additional internal space by extending in the orthogonal direction, enabling more components to be housed within the same arm footprint. This dimensional expansion allows for increased component capacity without proportionally increasing the arm's overall size or rotation radius.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm internal space is segmented into different regions by the passive shaft part, creating dedicated zones for housing various components. This segmentation allows efficient organization of multiple components within the constrained arm volume, maximizing space utilization without requiring arm enlargement.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes a supporting unit that rotatably supports a first passive shaft part, and a first arm fixed to the first passive shaft part, wherein the first arm has an internal space overlapping with the first passive shaft part in a direction orthogonal to a center shaft of the first passive shaft part.