Industrial Robot Balancing Device Pressurized Air Sealing

Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial robots with spring balancing units face corrosion issues in high humidity environments, leading to reduced lifespan due to moisture and liquid ingress, which existing balancing systems fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a mechanical spring balancing device with a spring housing that includes an air inlet connected to a pressurized air supply, ensuring the housing is filled with pressurized air to prevent moisture and liquid entry, and providing an air supply to both the balancing device and drive units to maintain internal pressure and prevent vacuum-induced moisture ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a balancing cylinder with sealed opening is used, then the sealing prevents moisture entry, but vacuum arises inside the cylinder during operation causing moisture to be sucked in through seals

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces pressurized air as an intermediary substance filled into the spring housing to act as a barrier against moisture. The pressurized air creates positive pressure that prevents moisture from being sucked into the cylinder through the seals, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining sealing effectiveness and preventing moisture ingress under vacuum conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by filling the spring housing with pressurized air, which serves as a protective atmosphere that prevents moisture from penetrating into the balancing cylinder. This inert environment approach isolates the internal components from the harmful external moisture, resolving the contradiction between sealed operation and moisture protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the robot operates in high humidity environments, then the robot can function in diverse conditions, but moisture and liquid are sucked into the balancing cylinder causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressurized air acts as a protective intermediary between the humid external environment and the internal balancing cylinder components. By maintaining positive pressure with inert air, the system allows operation in high humidity environments while preventing moisture from reaching and corroding the internal components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a protective inert atmosphere of pressurized air within the spring housing, which shields the balancing cylinder from corrosive effects of humid environments. This allows the robot to operate in diverse environmental conditions while maintaining corrosion resistance of internal components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the robot operates in varying temperature conditions, then the robot can work in different thermal environments, but temperature changes cause air volume reduction and vacuum formation leading to liquid ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter of the air filling by supplying pressurized air to the spring housing. This parameter change creates a buffer against vacuum formation during temperature variations, preventing liquid from being sucked into the balancing cylinder while allowing the robot to operate in varying temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution effectively prevents corrosion in high humidity environments by maintaining a dry internal space within the balancing device and drive units, extending the lifespan of the industrial robot and allowing operation in varying temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the spring housing comprises at least one air inlet connected to pressurized air supply means such that the spring housing is filled with pressurized air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The balancing device comprises a mechanical spring means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9221182B2Industrial robot with pressurized air supply in balancing device

Publication Date: 2015.12.29

AI summary

An industrial robot including a first robot part and a second robot part arranged to be moved in relation to each other. A balancing device is arranged between the first robot part and the second robot part. The balancing device is arranged to counteract a gravitational force upon relative movement of the robot parts. The balancing device includes a mechanical spring and a spring housing arranged enclosing the spring. The spring housing includes at least one air inlet adapted for pressurized air supply.