Horizontal Articulated Robot Cable Unit Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal articulated robots face challenges in efficiently managing and routing cables for power and signal supply, leading to complex cable connections and potential issues with dust and water ingress, as well as visibility and ease of maintenance within the robot's base.
Innovation Solution
A cable unit is introduced, comprising a flexible arm conduit connected to the second arm and a first plate-shaped member fixed to the base, with cables passing through and a second plate-shaped member closing the back-side opening, creating a continuous opening with the top surface opening to facilitate cable management and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are routed through the base structure, then power and signal supply to motors is achieved, but dust and water ingress occurs and maintenance visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple sections with separate openings: a top surface opening for cable introduction and a back surface opening for cable exit. This segmentation allows cables to be routed through a controlled path while keeping the base structure largely enclosed, preventing dust and water ingress while maintaining reliable cable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable guide structure acts as an intermediary element between the cable unit and the base interior. This guide structure channels cables through the designated openings and prevents direct exposure to the external environment, thereby preventing contamination while ensuring proper cable routing and connection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the base is fully enclosed, then protection from dust and water is improved, but cable routing and maintenance access become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The base enclosure is segmented with strategically positioned openings: a top surface opening for cable entry and a back surface opening for cable exit. This segmentation maintains overall enclosure integrity for protection while providing controlled access points for cable routing and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide structure is pre-installed within the base, creating a predetermined cable routing path before cables are installed. This preliminary action simplifies the cable routing process and ensures proper cable positioning without requiring complex modifications during installation or maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If cable openings are made large, then cable installation and maintenance visibility are improved, but structural integrity and contamination protection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating large single openings, the base is segmented with multiple smaller openings positioned at different locations (top surface and back surface). This segmentation maintains structural integrity while providing sufficient access for cable installation and maintenance visibility through the distributed opening configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable routing path is extended into the third dimension by creating a vertical component through the base thickness. The cable guide structure utilizes the depth of the base to route cables from the top surface opening through to the back surface opening, providing maintenance access without requiring large lateral openings that would compromise structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A horizontal articulated robot includes a base, a first arm, a second arm, and a cable unit connected to the base and the second arm. The cable unit includes an arm conduit having one end connected to the second arm, and the other end attached to a first plate-shaped member fixed to an upper surface of the base, a number of cables passing through the arm conduit, a second plate-shaped member that closes a back-side opening made in the back surface of the base. The first plate-shaped member is configured to close a top surface opening made in the upper surface of the base, and the top surface opening is continuous with the back-side opening.