Robot Joint Structure With One-Way Valve for Lubricant Containment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint structures for robot arms and wrists face challenges in preventing the outflow of lubricant while improving drip-proof properties, as existing techniques are inadequate in maintaining internal pressure and preventing foreign materials from entering.
Innovation Solution
A joint structure with a booster section to increase internal pressure and a one-way communication section that allows gas to flow into the power transmission mechanism while preventing lubricant from flowing out, using a tubular member and one-way valve to maintain a sealed environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the interior of the robot arm is pressurized to improve drip-proof property, then the prevention of foreign material entry is improved, but the risk of lubricant leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way communication section acts as an intermediary between the pressurized interior and the power transmission mechanism. This intermediary allows gas to pass through while blocking lubricant, resolving the contradiction by enabling pressure equalization without lubricant leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas venting function is extracted from the sealed interior and redirected through the one-way communication section into the power transmission mechanism. This separates the gas management function from the lubricant containment function, allowing independent optimization of both.
2Reliability
If the joint structure is completely sealed to prevent lubricant outflow, then the drip-proof property is improved, but the ability to equalize pressure and prevent condensation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way communication section serves as a controlled intermediary that maintains the sealed environment while allowing selective communication. It permits gas molecules to pass through for pressure equalization while blocking larger lubricant molecules, thus preventing condensation without compromising the drip-proof property.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication section exhibits different permeability properties for different substances: it is permeable to gas molecules but impermeable to lubricant. This local quality differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve pressure equalization and lubricant containment.
3Temperature
If the power transmission mechanism is positioned outside the first arm to improve heat dissipation, then the temperature control is improved, but the compactness of the robot structure is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission mechanism is positioned in a recess of the second arm, creating a nested configuration where the power transmission components are housed within the robotic structure's volume rather than occupying additional external space. This maintains compactness while allowing adequate spacing for heat dissipation.
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 prevents the entry of foreign materials and the outflow of lubricant, enhancing the drip-proof property and maintaining a sealed environment within the joint structure.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way communication section configured to fluidly connect the interior of the first arm to the inner space so as to be in fluid communication with each other, so that the one-way communication section allows a gas in the interior of the first arm to flow into the inner space, while the one-way communication section prevents the lubricant in the inner space from flowing out to the interior of the first arm
Implementation Method 2
a booster section configured to increase a pressure in an interior of the first arm to be higher than an outside pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a joint structure for a robot which can prevent leakage of a lubricant which is charged to the interior of the joint structure while improving a drip-proof property. The joint structure for the robot includes: a first arm which is hollow; a second arm which is rotatably mounted to the first arm; a power transmission mechanism which is provided adjacent to the outside of the first arm, the power transmission mechanism including a gear and an inner space which houses the gear and is charged with a lubricant; a booster section which increases a pressure in an interior of the first arm to be higher than an outside pressure; and a one-way communication section which allows the interior of the first arm and the inner space to communicate with each other and a gas in the interior of the first arm to flow into the inner space, while preventing the lubricant in the inner space from flowing out to the interior of the first arm.