Robot Compensation Coupler for Heavy Payload Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collaborative robots struggle to compensate for payloads, particularly in heavy-duty tasks involving heavy tools, limiting their ability to effectively interact with humans in shared workspaces.
Innovation Solution
A robot mechanism incorporating arms with joints, an end effector, and a compensation coupler that includes a case, rotating shaft, bearings, swivels, and cables to offset the weight of heavy tools, allowing the robot to perform tasks regardless of the tool's weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a collaborative robot uses a heavy tool for heavy-duty tasks, then the robot can perform more demanding tasks, but the robot cannot compensate for the payload weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by introducing a compensation mechanism that generates an upward force to counterbalance the downward gravitational force of the heavy tool. The compensation coupler includes a spring element and a counterweight assembly that automatically adjust to offset the payload weight, allowing the collaborative robot to handle heavy tools without exceeding its payload capacity limits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot is designed for general-purpose collaborative work, then it can work alongside humans safely, but it lacks the capability for heavy-duty tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the robot's payload capacity dynamic rather than fixed. The compensation mechanism can be activated or deactivated based on the task requirements, and it dynamically adjusts the counterbalancing force to match the actual payload weight. This allows the same robot to safely collaborate with humans on light tasks while being capable of handling heavy tools when needed, enhancing both adaptability and heavy-duty capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot is disclosed. The robot includes: arms having at least one joint; an end effector coupled to one end of the arms; and a compensation coupler coupled to the end effector.