Robot Drag Chain Tensioning for Reliable Media Line Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robots face challenges in preventing uncontrolled movements of drag chains, which can lead to damage during multiaxial movements, especially when guiding media lines to processing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A tensioning mechanism is employed that maintains the drag chain taut by using a tensioning lever and restoring means, such as a pneumatic tension spring, to prevent uncontrolled movements and wear, with adjustable restoring force and designed to guide media lines without excessive curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drag chain is guided along the manipulator modules during multiaxial movements, then the media lines are protected from external influences, but uncontrolled movements and damage to the drag chain occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a tensioning lever that can pivot about an axis, changing the tension state of the drag chain from static to dynamically adjustable. The restoring means (spring or pneumatic tension spring) continuously adjusts the tension parameter to maintain optimal drag chain tension during multiaxial movements, preventing uncontrolled movements while protecting media lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the tensioning lever pivotable about a pivot axis that extends in parallel with the link axis. This dynamic structure allows the tensioning lever to automatically adjust its position and the drag chain tension in response to movements of the manipulator and processing apparatus, maintaining protection against external influences while preventing harmful uncontrolled movements.
2Reliability
If the drag chain is tensioned to prevent uncontrolled movements, then wear and damage are reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning lever serves multiple functions: it tensions the drag chain to prevent uncontrolled movements, guides the drag chain along its path, and works with the restoring means to automatically adjust tension. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining reliability while limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoring means (spring or pneumatic tension spring) provides self-service by automatically generating the restoring force that returns the tensioning lever to its neutral position. This self-regulating mechanism prevents wear and damage without requiring external control systems, maintaining reliability while avoiding additional complexity from active control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tensioning lever is made pivotable to accommodate movements, then flexibility is improved, but control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis of the tensioning lever is positioned and oriented to create an equipotential configuration where the lever can pivot freely to accommodate manipulator movements without creating uneven tension distribution. This geometric arrangement maintains flexibility during multiaxial movements while preserving sufficient control precision through the guiding action on the drag chain.
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 effectively prevents uncontrolled movements and wear of the drag chain, ensuring reliable and low-wear guidance of media lines, even during complex manipulator and processing apparatus movements, thereby protecting the media lines and preventing damage.
Implementation Method 1
A tensioning mechanism is employed that maintains the drag chain taut by using a tensioning lever and restoring means, such as a pneumatic tension spring
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial robot for material processing includes a manipulator with a base, a link, an arm and a hand. A processing device of the industrial robot is movable by the manipulator and is attached to the hand of the manipulator, and is supplied with a medium via a medium line. Provided for the medium line is a drag chain subjected to a traction directed away from a connection of the drag chain close to a processing location by a tensioning device. The tensioning device has a tensioning lever and a restoring device. The tensioning lever is attached to a partial length of the drag chain. The tensioning lever is deflectable, counter to an action of a restoring force generated by the restoring device, towards the connection of the drag chain close to the processing location such that the tensioning lever performs a pivoting movement about a lever pivot axis.