Robot Joint Reduction Gear Air Chamber for Lubricant Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems face challenges in preventing lubricant leakage from reduction gears, especially during contact or collision with external objects, due to thermal expansion and pressure changes within the lubrication chamber.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an air chamber that communicates with the lubrication chamber to maintain an air layer, which acts as a buffer to reduce internal pressure and prevent lubricant leakage, while also simplifying the assembly process and reducing the thickness of the base casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reduction gear is equipped with a lubrication chamber sealed to hold lubricant, then the gear mechanism can operate smoothly with proper lubrication, but the internal pressure increases due to thermal expansion and collision, causing lubricant leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealed space into two distinct chambers: a lubrication chamber for holding lubricant and an air chamber for accommodating pressure changes. This segmentation allows the lubrication function to be maintained while isolating the lubricant from direct exposure to pressure fluctuations, thereby preventing leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The air chamber acts as an intermediary buffer between the external environment and the lubrication chamber. It absorbs pressure changes caused by thermal expansion or collisions, preventing these pressure changes from directly affecting the lubricant and causing leakage.
2Reliability
If the base casing thickness is increased to protect the reduction gear from external contact and collision, then the robot's reliability improves, but the robot's size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air chamber is designed to anticipate and absorb pressure changes before they can cause damage to the reduction gear or lubricant leakage. This beforehand cushioning effect allows the use of a thinner base casing while maintaining protection, as the internal pressure management system prevents the need for excessive structural reinforcement.
3Reliability
If complex assembly procedures are used to ensure proper sealing and positioning of the reduction gear, then the sealing reliability improves, but the assembly time and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air chamber and lubrication chamber are integrated into a single sealed structure within the base casing, with the communication hole automatically providing the necessary connection. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps required, while maintaining effective sealing through the integrated 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
The air chamber effectively reduces lubricant leakage and enhances assembly efficiency, allowing the robot to operate reliably on various mounting surfaces, including ceilings, floors, and walls, while maintaining an appropriate air volume to prevent lubricant entry into the air chamber.
Implementation Method 1
due to thermal expansion and pressure changes within the lubrication chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A robot is provided which has: a housing including a plurality of joints; a reduction gear placed in the joint, the reduction gear including a lubrication chamber where a gear mechanism for slowing down and transmitting an output of a motor and lubricant is sealed; and an air chamber placed inside the housing, the air chamber communicating with the lubrication chamber.