Robot Joint Reduction Gear Venting for Lubricant Leak Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems with reduction gears face lubricant leakage issues due to external contact or collision, as the cylindrical body portion protruding from the casing is vulnerable to damage, leading to leakage of the sealed lubricant.
Innovation Solution
A robot system design where the air chamber is placed inside the base, communicating with the lubrication chamber, and the reduction gear is positioned between the base and the arm, ensuring an air layer is maintained to absorb pressure changes and prevent lubricant leakage, even during external contact or collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylindrical body portion is provided protruding from the reduction gear casing, then the air vent hole can be provided for pressure equalization, but the cylindrical body portion becomes vulnerable to external contact or collision causing damage and lubricant leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent hole function is extracted from the external cylindrical body portion and integrated directly into the reduction gear casing. This eliminates the vulnerable protruding cylindrical body while maintaining the pressure equalization function through an internal air vent hole that communicates with the lubrication chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The air vent hole is nested within the reduction gear casing structure itself rather than being an external component. The air vent hole is formed as an internal passage within the casing, eliminating the need for an external cylindrical body portion while maintaining the air communication function.
2Ease of operation
If the air chamber is placed outside the base, then it is easily accessible, but it becomes vulnerable to external contact or collision
Solution Approach 1:
The air chamber is nested within the base structure as an internal space. The base casing forms the air chamber that communicates with the lubrication chamber through an internal air vent hole, eliminating the need for an external air chamber while maintaining the pressure equalization function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reduction gear is placed in the joint between base and arm, then it achieves the required mechanical function, but it becomes exposed to external contact or collision
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction gear is pre-positioned within the joint structure with proper sealing arrangements before assembly. The sealed lubrication chamber and integrated air vent hole are prepared in advance to prevent lubricant leakage even when external contact or collision occurs during operation.
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 configuration effectively reduces lubricant leakage by maintaining an air layer within the lubrication chamber, ensuring the lubricant remains sealed and the robot system operates reliably despite external interactions.
Implementation Method 1
an air chamber placed inside the housing, the air chamber communicating with the lubrication chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A robot (10) is provided which has: a housing including a plurality of joints; a reduction gear (5) placed in the joint, the reduction gear (5) including a lubrication chamber (26) where a gear mechanism (25) for slowing down and transmitting an output of a motor and lubricant (27) is sealed; and an air chamber (8a) placed inside the housing, the air chamber (8a) communicating with the lubrication chamber (26).