Dual-Bearing Support for Robot Drive Output Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving apparatuses for industrial robots face difficulties during maintenance due to the output shaft being supported only on one side, making it challenging to reattach the tip end of the output shaft into the apparatus body, especially when the output shaft is longer and thinner than the input shaft, leading to instability and potential warping.
Innovation Solution
The driving apparatus includes a first bearing on the side of the motor to support the output shaft and a second bearing arranged within the hollow space between the input and output shafts, providing additional support and stability to the output shaft, allowing for easier alignment and fitting during maintenance operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the output shaft is supported only on one side, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation during maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the output shaft and the housing. This support member extends into the hollow space of the input shaft and provides additional support at a position away from the motor side, facilitating easier handling and fitting of the output shaft during maintenance while maintaining structural simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If the output shaft is supported only on one side, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the reliability during maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as a mediator that provides additional support without complicating the manufacturing process. It is configured to extend into the hollow space of the input shaft and support the output shaft at a position away from the motor side, enhancing stability during maintenance operations while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the output shaft is longer and thinner, then the adaptability of the drive device is improved, but the stability of the output shaft deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that provides additional support to the longer and thinner output shaft. By extending into the hollow space of the input shaft and supporting the output shaft at a position away from the motor side, it prevents warping and instability while maintaining the adaptability benefits of the longer, thinner design
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 dual-bearing support system enhances the fitting property and stability of the output shaft, reducing the risk of warping and making it easier to reattach the output shaft during maintenance, thereby improving the overall maintenance efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first bearing adapted to support the output shaft is arranged on the other side of the motor, and a second bearing adapted to support the output shaft is arranged on the one side of the motor, in the hollow space between the input shaft and the output shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
A driving apparatus has a problem in that a tip end of an output shaft, which is inserted through a hollow space, is difficult to be fitted into the apparatus body during the maintenance. Therefore, a driving apparatus (100) includes an input shaft (2) with a hollow space (22) formed therein that penetrates therethrough in the axial direction, a motor (1) that rotates the input shaft (2), a reduction gear (3) that receives the power of the motor (1) from the input shaft (2), an output shaft (5) inserted through the hollow space (22) of the input shaft (2) and adapted to rotate about the rotation axis (L) with power output from the reduction gear (3), and a coupling (45) connected to a tip end (51) of the output shaft (5). A first bearing (4) for supporting the output shaft (5) is arranged, and a second bearing (8) for supporting the output shaft (5) is arranged in the hollow space (22) between the input shaft (2) and the output shaft (5).