Robot Joint Structure With Multi-Port Lubrication at Any Angle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robot joint structures face challenges in efficiently lubricating and maintaining the lubricant within sealed spaces, particularly when installed at varying angles, as existing designs struggle to effectively exchange lubricant and manage temperature without disrupting operation or causing mechanical issues.
Innovation Solution
The joint structure incorporates multiple through-holes around a horizontal rotation axis, allowing for lubricant exchange and temperature management, with strategically positioned nipples and plugs that adjust based on installation angles, and optional heat radiating members to prevent excessive temperature rise, ensuring consistent lubrication and extended maintenance cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single greasing port and discharging port are provided at fixed positions, then the structure is simple, but lubricant exchange becomes inefficient when the robot is installed at varying angles
Solution Approach 1:
The single greasing port and discharging port are segmented into multiple ports distributed around the horizontal rotation axis. Specifically, three or more greasing ports and three or more discharging ports are provided at different angular positions, allowing the system to adapt to various installation angles by selecting appropriate port combinations for lubricant injection and drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple ports serve universal functions across different installation scenarios. The same set of ports can handle lubricant exchange whether the robot is installed horizontally, vertically, or at intermediate angles, eliminating the need for angle-specific port configurations and enabling one structure to fulfill multiple operational requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple through-holes are provided around the horizontal rotation axis, then lubricant exchange efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant exchange function is segmented across multiple through-holes distributed around the horizontal rotation axis. By providing three or more greasing ports and three or more discharging ports at different angular positions, the system enables efficient lubricant exchange for various installation angles, as gravity can effectively drain lubricant from the lowest point regardless of the overall installation orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local positions around the horizontal rotation axis are equipped with specific port functions. The through-holes are strategically positioned to exploit local gravitational effects during lubricant exchange, with discharging ports located to enable effective drainage based on the robot's installation angle, optimizing local fluid flow characteristics for overall system performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot can be installed at voluntary angles, then installation flexibility improves, but maintaining effective lubrication becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is segmented into multiple independently positioned ports around the horizontal rotation axis. This segmentation allows the system to maintain effective lubrication across various installation angles by selecting appropriate port combinations, as gravity can consistently drive lubricant flow from the greasing ports through the actuator to the discharging ports regardless of the robot's overall installation orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different installation angles through its multiple port configuration. Depending on the installation angle, different ports become the effective greasing and discharging points, allowing the system to maintain optimal lubrication performance dynamically across static installation scenarios, ensuring reliable operation whether installed horizontally, vertically, or at intermediate angles.
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 design enables effective lubricant exchange and temperature management across various installation angles, minimizing positional changes in greasing and discharging points, thus ensuring reliable operation and extended lubricant life, even when installed at voluntary angles.
Implementation Method 1
more than three of the through-holes are provided at an interval in a circumferential direction around the horizontal rotation axis line
Implementation Method 2
optional heat radiating members to prevent excessive temperature rise
Data Source
AI summary
A joint structure of a robot includes a first member, a second member which is rotatably supported around a horizontal rotation axis line with respect to the first member, and an actuator which rotates the second member with respect to the first member, a through-holes, each of which allows a lubrication space in which a lubricant for the actuator is enclosed to connect with an outer space is provided in at least one of the first member and the second member, and more than three of the through-holes are provided at an interval in a circumferential direction centering around the horizontal rotation axis line.