Ceiling-Mounted Robot Connector Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling-mounted SCARA robots face challenges in sealing the space around the operation shaft and driver, leading to potential water intrusion and complexity in routing cables, as well as difficulties in maintenance access.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling-mounted robot design featuring a connector with a columnar section and cover sections made of metal and resin, respectively, allowing for hermetic sealing and easy maintenance, with the resin cover being elastically deformable and the metal cover providing stability for sealing, while reducing component complexity and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the space around the operation shaft and driver is left open, then maintenance access and cable routing are simplified, but water intrusion risk increases and hermetic sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is divided into a first cover section (metal) and a second cover section (resin) that can be separately attached and removed. This segmentation allows the space to be hermetically sealed during operation while enabling easy access during maintenance by simply detaching the cover sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover sections are designed to be detachable and reattachable, transforming the sealing structure from a static permanent seal to a dynamic reversible seal. This allows the system to switch between sealed operation mode and open maintenance mode as needed.
2Reliability
If a rigid metal cover is used for sealing, then hermetic sealing and stability are improved, but weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure combines metal (first cover section) and resin (second cover section) materials. The metal portion provides hermetic sealing and structural stability, while the resin portion reduces overall weight and can be easily molded into complex shapes for assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are applied to different portions of the cover structure based on functional requirements. The metal first cover section provides sealing at critical interfaces, while the resin second cover section provides lightweight protection and structural support in non-critical areas.
3Reliability
If the cover structure is made complex to achieve hermetic sealing, then protection against water intrusion is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex sealing function is divided between the first cover section (metal) and second cover section (resin), with each section having a simplified individual structure. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using appropriate processes while achieving complex sealing functionality when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover sections act as intermediary elements between the internal components (operation shaft, driver) and the external environment. They provide the hermetic barrier function without requiring complex modifications to the internal components themselves.
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
The design achieves hermetic sealing, protects against water intrusion, simplifies cable routing, and facilitates maintenance by providing accessible working space around the driver, enhancing operational reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the resin cover being elastically deformable
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes a first arm, a second arm, and a connector that connects the first arm and the second arm to each other in such a manner as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. The connector includes a columnar-shaped columnar section extending along the vertical axis and a first cover section extending from an outer peripheral surface of the columnar section in a direction intersecting the vertical axis. The second arm includes a main body section connected to the columnar section and a second cover section attached to the first cover section to surround a space in an enclosed state. The space is faced by at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface and a surface of the main body section located toward the first arm.