Robot Coupling Device Electromagnet Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple-axis robots face safety issues when power is lost, as the load can move downward due to gravity, risking damage or injury, and existing solutions like heavy brakes or electromagnets lead to undesirable wear or reduced inertia, particularly at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-axis robot structure with a coupling device that uses a movable coupling washer and electromagnets to secure the sockets in rotation, allowing independent rotation and translation of the nut-socket and slide-socket, reducing inertia and ensuring load immobilization without the need for heavy brakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy brakes are used to immobilize the load during power loss, then safety is improved, but the inertia of moving parts increases which reduces robot speed performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical brake system with an electromagnet-based locking mechanism. The electromagnet (17) acts on a coupling washer (18) to engage with the shaft (15) when power is lost, providing the braking function without the need for heavy mechanical brakes. This substitution significantly reduces the weight and inertia of the moving parts while maintaining the safety function of immobilizing the load during power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling washer (18) serves as an intermediary element between the electromagnet (17) and the shaft (15). During normal operation, the coupling washer is attracted to the electromagnet and rotates with the shaft. During power loss, the coupling washer is pushed by a spring (19) to engage with the electromagnet's armature, creating a mechanical lock that immobilizes the shaft without requiring heavy brakes.
2Reliability
If a slitted ring is used to brake the grooved shaft during power loss, then load immobilization is achieved, but the slitted ring experiences wear and positioning indetermination which reduces reliability at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sliding friction-based slitted ring brake with a magnetic locking mechanism. The electromagnet (17) creates a magnetic field that directly engages with the coupling washer (18) and shaft (15), eliminating the need for sliding contact and friction-based braking. This substitution eliminates wear on the braking component and provides precise positioning without indetermination, significantly improving reliability and service life at high speeds.
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 solution enables safe and efficient operation at high speeds by preventing load movement during power loss, reducing inertia, and minimizing wear, thus enhancing safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling device, capable of securing the nut-socket and the slide-socket in rotation... a movable coupling washer and electromagnets to secure the sockets in rotation
Data Source
AI summary
The articulated multiple-axis robot structure has a frame, an arm and a forearm, a shaft for attaching a tool, an actuator commanding the pivoting of a slide-socket, an actuator commanding the pivoting, a rotatable nut-socket, and a coupling device for securing the sockets in rotation. The coupling device having a coupling washer between the sockets and connected in rotation with one of the slide-socket and the nut-socket. The coupling washer is movable between a coupling configuration, in which the translation of the shaft relative to the forearm is locked, and an operating configuration, in which the translation and rotation of the shaft relative to the forearm are freed by a first electromagnet.