Robot Controller Board Stacking for Compact Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot control apparatuses face challenges in reducing size due to the need for long spaces to accommodate boards disposed in parallel and perpendicular to the housing, making it difficult to connect external wires efficiently and hindering maintenance, especially in space-constrained environments like factories.
Innovation Solution
The configuration of a robot control apparatus with a power supply board and a driving board where the driving board is positioned within the height range of the power supply board, allowing for a compact design, and the use of covers to manage external wires, reducing the need for excessive space and facilitating maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If boards are disposed in parallel and perpendicular to the housing bottom surface, then both boards can be incorporated in the housing, but long spaces are necessary in both directions making it difficult to reduce housing size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional board layout (parallel and perpendicular to bottom surface) to a three-dimensional stacked arrangement where boards are disposed at different heights. The power supply board is positioned with its front surface facing the housing front surface, while the driving board is positioned above it with its front surface facing the power supply board's rear surface, utilizing vertical space to reduce horizontal footprint.
2Ease of operation
If external wires are connected to the side surfaces of the robot controller, then connection is possible, but sufficient wire length is necessary which hinders setting of other devices and controller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures wire connection terminals on the front surface of the housing, allowing external wires to be connected before the controller is installed in the setting section. The power supply board and driving board are positioned to expose their connection terminals at the front, enabling preliminary wire connection without requiring excessive wire length to reach side surfaces.
3Ease of repair
If the front unit is drawn out forward and opened with a hinge to access the inner side unit, then maintenance access is possible, but spaces are necessary on left and right for retracting the front unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the controller into separable units: the power supply board unit and the driving board unit. The driving board is positioned above the power supply board, and both can be independently accessed by removing the front cover, eliminating the need for hinge mechanisms and lateral retraction spaces. This segmentation allows direct front-access maintenance without requiring side spaces.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A robot control apparatus (20) is configured to include a power supply board (220) including a power supply circuit and a driving board (221) including a driving circuit that drives a robot with electric power supplied from the power supply board (220). In the thickness direction of the power supply board (220), the distance between a surface of the power supply board (220), on which the power supply circuit is provided, and a surface of the driving board (221), on which the driving circuit is provided, is smaller than the maximum height of the power supply board (220) .