Industrial Robot Drive Housing External Wall Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial robots have bulky designs that hinder space efficiency and increase weight due to the arrangement of drives and transmissions, which obstructs the placement of supply lines and narrows the links, limiting their compactness and mobility.
Innovation Solution
A robotic arm design featuring a drive with a rotor and stator connected to a drive housing that forms an external wall section, with a transmission output link connected to a flange rotatably positioned on the drive housing, allowing for a compact configuration where supply lines can be safely routed through a hollow shaft, reducing the arm's interference contour and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If drives and transmissions are arranged coaxially in the interior of the robotic arm, then the robotic arm can achieve compactness, but the supply lines cannot be placed and the links become narrower, limiting mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is divided into multiple links (first link, second link, etc.) that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each link contains specific components (drives, transmissions, supply lines) in segmented arrangements, allowing supply lines to be routed through designated pathways without interfering with the overall compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning drives and transmissions at different locations and orientations within the robotic arm structure. The flange is rotatably positioned and oriented on the transmission housing, creating space in multiple dimensions for supply lines while maintaining compact link diameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drives and transmissions are arranged in the robotic arm, then the robotic arm achieves functional capability, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive and transmission are integrated into a unified housing structure where the drive housing forms an external wall section of the robotic arm. The transmission housing is connected to the drive housing, merging multiple components into a single structural unit that reduces overall weight compared to separate arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the drive and transmission components, provides structural support for the robotic arm, and acts as a mounting structure for the flange and second link. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing weight.
3Volume of moving object
If the link diameter is reduced to improve compactness, then the robotic arm becomes more compact, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed to be formed from a single piece of material, potentially using composite or advanced materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The integrated housing design allows for optimized material distribution and structural reinforcement where needed, maintaining strength despite reduced link diameters.
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
This design enables a more compact and lightweight robotic arm with unobstructed routing of supply lines, enhancing space efficiency and mobility by integrating the drive and transmission in a space-saving manner, while maintaining the transfer of forces and moments effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the drive housing is fastened to the first housing of the first link and forms an external wall section of the robotic arm that transfers the forces and moments
Implementation Method 2
the flange is rotatably positioned and oriented on the drive housing, and fastened to the flange is the second housing of the second link
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic arm of an industrial robot includes successive links connected by joints having respective drives and associated transmissions for moving the links. First and second links have respective first and second housings that transfer forces and moments arising from the weight of the robotic arm, or a load carried by the arm, to adjacent links. A first drive rotatably connecting the first and second links includes a drive housing, a rotor, and a stator connected to the drive housing. The drive housing is fastened to the first housing of the first link and forms an external wall of the robotic arm. The transmission associated with the first drive includes an input link that is joined with the rotor of the first drive. An output of the first drive is connected to a flange that is fastened to the second housing and rotatable relative to the drive housing.