Robot Joint Heat Dissipation via Phase Change Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dynamic joints in robots face inefficiencies in heat dissipation, particularly under high torque and overload conditions, leading to heat accumulation and stability issues, as conventional methods like heat conduction and liquid cooling fail to meet the demands of compact size and high performance.
Innovation Solution
A robot joint member with a heat dissipation structure featuring phase change heat dissipation units and variable-area gas flow channels, where phase change working media and capillary materials are used to absorb and release heat, and heat dissipation auxiliary ribs accelerate gas flow for enhanced heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a liquid cooling method with external liquid cooling circulation device is used, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device volume increases and mounting becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat dissipation function directly into the joint member structure by embedding phase change heat dissipation units within the joint member's hollow barrel structure. This merging of cooling function into the structural component eliminates the need for separate external liquid cooling circulation devices, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency while maintaining compact device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change materials that undergo phase transitions (solid-liquid or liquid-gas) to absorb and release heat. The phase change heat dissipation units contain phase change working medium that automatically absorbs heat from the motor through phase change processes, providing efficient heat dissipation without requiring external cooling systems, thus resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation efficiency and device volume.
2Device complexity
If heat dissipation is achieved through joint member heat conduction alone, then device structure remains simple, but heat dissipation efficiency is insufficient for large torque applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by incorporating phase change heat dissipation units at specific locations within the joint member's hollow barrel structure, particularly where heat generation from the motor is most intense. This localized heat dissipation approach maintains overall structural simplicity while significantly improving heat dissipation efficiency at critical areas, making it suitable for large torque applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining the joint member structural material with phase change heat dissipation units containing phase change working medium and capillary materials. This composite approach creates a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support and efficient heat dissipation, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and heat dissipation efficiency.
3Power
If motor load is increased for larger output torque, then robot output capability is improved, but heat accumulation in motor increases affecting stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phase change heat dissipation units as intermediary elements between the motor heat source and the joint member exterior. These units act as thermal mediators that absorb excess heat from the motor through phase change processes, preventing heat accumulation that would otherwise affect motor stability. This allows the motor to operate at higher loads for larger output torque while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the phase change working medium, specifically the phase transition temperature and latent heat properties, to optimize heat dissipation. By selecting phase change materials with appropriate transition parameters, the system can effectively manage heat generation at various motor load levels, enabling higher output torque while maintaining motor stability through controlled thermal parameters.
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 effectively eliminates heat accumulation, improves heat dissipation efficiency, and maintains a compact structure by leveraging phase change processes and optimized gas flow, outperforming traditional methods in terms of both efficiency and size constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of phase change heat dissipation units each axially distributed along a barrel wall; the phase change heat dissipation unit comprises a phase change working medium... effectively eliminates heat accumulation, improves heat dissipation efficiency
Implementation Method 2
the capillary material is located on an inner cavity wall of the phase change cavity... phase change working media and capillary materials are used to absorb and release heat
Implementation Method 3
heat dissipation auxiliary ribs accelerate gas flow for enhanced heat exchange efficiency... variable-area gas flow channels, where phase change working media and capillary materials are used to absorb and release heat
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a robot joint member, a dynamic joint and a robot with a heat dissipation structure. The joint member has a hollow barrel structure disposed to sleeve a heat source component, and a plurality of phase change heat dissipation units; the phase change heat dissipation unit comprises a phase change working medium, a capillary material and a sealed phase change cavity; heat dissipation auxiliary ribs are arranged on a periphery of the barrel wall of the joint member and a side of the phase change heat dissipation unit away from the heat source component; and the heat dissipation auxiliary ribs define a plurality of gas flow channels with cross sections gradually reduced along a gas flow direction. The joint member has can quickly eliminate the heat accumulation of the joint power source, and can keep a compact structure of the dynamic joint of the robot.