Industrial Robot Joint Waterproofing via Side-Mounted Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dustproof and waterproof structures for industrial robot joint portions are costly, complex, and increase the size and weight of the robot, affecting its motion performance due to the need for large components and complicated designs.
Innovation Solution
A dustproof and waterproof structure is achieved by providing a cable passing hole on the side surface of the manipulator with a mold guide, filling resin, and a cable protecting pipe, along with connecting members to secure the cable and protect it from dust and water, without altering the power transmitting parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a through hole is provided coaxially with the joint axis for passing the filament body, then the dustproof and waterproof structure is achieved, but the drive motor must be arranged away from the center portion requiring additional power transmitting parts such as pulley, timing belt and bearing mechanism, increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable passing function from the central joint axis area and relocates it to the side surface of the manipulator. By providing a through hole in the side surface instead of the center, the cable can pass through without interfering with the drive motor and power transmitting parts, thus eliminating the need for additional components while maintaining dustproof and waterproof protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional central passing route (through the joint axis) to a two-dimensional side surface route. By moving the cable passing hole from the central axis to the side surface, the design utilizes the manipulator's side surface area, allowing the drive motor to remain at the center without requiring additional power transmitting parts.
2Ease of manufacture
If the through hole is provided in the center portion of the joint, then the filament body can pass through, but the joint portion structure becomes complicated and enlarged in size
Solution Approach 1:
The cable passing function is extracted from the central joint structure and relocated to the side surface. This separation allows the joint portion to maintain a compact, simple structure without the need for large through holes in the center, thereby reducing the overall size and complexity of the joint portion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large-size speed reducing gear is employed to accommodate multiple filament bodies, then all filament bodies can pass through, but large-sized members such as pulley and motor are required, increasing the mass of the joint portion
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the side surface of the manipulator for cable passing, the design provides sufficient space for multiple cables to pass through without requiring an enlarged central joint structure. This approach allows accommodation of multiple filament bodies while maintaining compact component sizes, thereby reducing the overall mass of the joint portion.
4Strength
If the joint portion has high weight, then the structure can support the components, but the robot's motion performance is lowered due to high own weight generating own load
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the cable passing function from the central joint area and relocating it to the side surface, the design eliminates the need for large, heavy components such as oversized gears, pulleys, and motors. This results in a lighter joint portion that maintains sufficient structural strength while improving the robot's motion performance by reducing the load on moving parts.
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 solution results in a compact, cost-effective joint portion that maintains the robot's motion performance by simplifying the structure and allowing easy modifications to cable and fluid conduit pipes without affecting power transmission components.
Implementation Method 1
a filling resin filled in an inner side of the mold guide
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a waterproof and dustproof structure of a joint portion of an industrial robot which is inexpensive and does not adversely affect a motion performance of a robot. Accordingly, in a manipulator type robot which has a cable passing hole provided in a part of an outer periphery of a manipulator, and is provided with a cable wired to an inner side and an outer side of the manipulator through the cable passing hole, a mold guide surrounding an outer periphery of one or a plurality of conducting wire passing through an inner portion is provided near the cable passing hole, an inner side of the mold guide is mold treated by a resin filling, and a sealing material is provided in an outer side of the mold guide.