Robot Arm Tube Routing via Bevel Gear Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In robot arm assemblies, the rotation of multiple axes causes tubes carrying liquids or cables to bend and become disrupted, leading to reduced spraying or cleaning efficiency and potential abrasion or severance of the tubes, which affects the performance and longevity of the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cable receiving tube is integrated into the robot arm assembly, utilizing a series of bevel gears and bearings to ensure that the tube rotates with the arms while maintaining a stable path, preventing bending and abrasion by allowing the arms to rotate independently along different axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tubes are placed inside robot arms to transfer liquid, then liquid transfer function is achieved, but the tubes become bent and disrupted due to arm rotation, reducing spraying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tube movable rather than fixed. The tube is configured to move together with the robot arm during rotation, allowing it to adapt to the changing spatial position and avoid bending or disruption. This dynamic configuration ensures stable liquid flow regardless of arm movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the nesting principle by placing the tube inside the robot arm structure. The tube is nested within the arm's hollow space and moves synchronously with the arm's rotation, ensuring the tube remains properly positioned and maintains stable liquid transfer function throughout the arm's operational range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple arms rotate along different axes, then robot operational flexibility is improved, but the tubes are abraded or severed due to repeated bending
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is designed to dynamically follow the motion of the robot arm, moving synchronously with the arm's rotation along different axes. This eliminates static constraints that would cause bending and abrasion, allowing the tube to maintain its integrity even during complex multi-axis operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube acts as an intermediary element that is integrated with the arm's motion system. Rather than being a separate fixed component, the tube is configured to move with the arm, serving as a flexible connector that maintains liquid transfer function while adapting to the arm's rotational movements without suffering from abrasion or severance.
3Device complexity
If fixed tubes are used in rotating arms, then structural simplicity is maintained, but liquid flow is disrupted due to tube bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed tube configuration to a dynamic one where the tube moves with the arm. This dynamic configuration is achieved through simple structural integration rather than complex mechanisms, maintaining relatively low device complexity while dramatically improving liquid flow stability and spraying efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot arm assembly with tubes or pipes carrying fluids or electrical cables which do not get bent and are relatively straight, and are not disrupted by, the moving parts of the robot arm includes a first robot arm, a second robot arm, a third robot arm, and a flexible carrying tube. The second robot arm includes a first axle base, a first input shaft, a first bevel gear, and a second bevel gear. The flexible tube is inserted into the first bevel gear and the second bevel gear along a first axis, and fixed to the output shaft.