Robot Joint Brake Assembly With Adjustable Friction Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brake assemblies for collaborative robots face challenges in providing reliable, safe, and cost-effective braking solutions due to manufacturing tolerances and difficulties in achieving precise brake friction, which can lead to inadequate stopping performance and potential overload of the robot arm.
Innovation Solution
A robot joint with a brake assembly that includes an annular brake member, a resilient member, and positionable locking members, allowing for adjustable friction by varying the tension of the resilient member, enabling precise control of the braking force and ease of assembly, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed brake assembly design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but brake friction precision is insufficient due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly incorporates an adjustable resilient member that allows dynamic modification of brake friction characteristics. The resilient member can be tensioned or relaxed to precisely control the contact force between the brake member and the friction surface, enabling adaptation to different manufacturing tolerances and wear conditions while maintaining reliable braking performance.
2Reliability
If brake friction is increased to improve stopping performance, then stopping accuracy improves, but robot arm overload risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly allows precise adjustment of the resilient member tension to optimize the brake friction parameter. By carefully controlling the tension force within a specific range, the system achieves reliable stopping performance while preventing excessive brake force that could overload the robot arm. The adjustable nature enables fine-tuning of this critical parameter.
3Measurement precision
If precise brake friction control is implemented, then stopping accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is divided into modular components including the resilient member, brake member, and locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, then assembled together to achieve precise brake friction control. The modular design simplifies manufacturing while enabling precise adjustment through the resilient member tensioning mechanism.
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 provides a reliable and adjustable braking system that ensures the robot joint can stop accurately without overloading the robot arm, allowing for safe human-robot collaboration and reducing manufacturing complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (635) arranged on the motor axle (611), where the annular brake member (631) and the resilient member (635) are arranged between a first locking member (636a) and a positionable locking member (636b)
Implementation Method 2
a brake assembly (629) comprising an annular brake member (631) rotatable arranged on the motor axle (611)... in the engaging position the engagement member (639) engages with the annular brake member (631) and prevents rotation of the annular brake member (631) around the motor axis (613)
Data Source
AI summary
A robot joint is connectable to at least another robot joint via an output flange. The robot joint includes a joint motor having a motor axle configured to rotate the output flange. The robot joint includes a brake assembly having an annular brake member that is rotatable and a resilient member arranged on the motor axle. The annular brake member and the resilient member are arranged between a first locking member and a positionable locking member, where the positionable locking member can be fixed at a plurality of positions along and at the motor axle. An engagement member is movable between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, where in the engaging position the engagement member engages with the annular brake member and prevents rotation of the annular brake member around the motor axis. The annular may include brake protrusion that includes two slats forming a triangular-like shape.