Robot Joint Sealing Arrangement Using Positive-Pressure Air Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial robots face performance deterioration due to contamination and debris infiltration in the gap between the base and swing of Axis 1, leading to internal structure damage and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement with a circular sealing assembly and air channel that maintains higher air pressure inside a tubular cavity, creating a high-speed airflow to prevent solid and liquid contaminants from entering, using a sealing ring, base ring, and radial seal with flexible material to ensure effective isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gap exists in the region of Axis 1 between the base and the swing, then the robot can be manufactured with simpler structure and lower cost, but contaminants and debris can enter the internal space causing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic pressure by introducing pressurized air through the air channel into the cavity formed by the circular sealing assembly. This creates a positive pressure environment that prevents contaminants from entering the internal space of Axis 1, thereby protecting the internal structure without requiring complex mechanical sealing components
Solution Approach 2:
The radial seal made of flexible material (such as rubber) is elastically arranged between the third side wall and the first side wall to abut against both surfaces in the radial direction. This flexible sealing element creates an effective barrier while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of assembly
2Reliability
If a sealing assembly is introduced to prevent contamination, then the reliability of the robot joint is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is divided into distinct functional components: the circular sealing assembly that forms the cavity, the air channel that delivers pressurized air, and the radial seal that provides flexible sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes and then assembled together, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving reliable contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary space between the internal robot joint and the external contaminant environment. By maintaining positive pressure in this intermediate cavity through the air channel, the system prevents direct contact between contaminants and the internal structure, achieving reliable protection without complex sealing mechanisms
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
Effectively prevents contamination infiltration, enhancing the reliability of Axis 1 by maintaining internal structure integrity and allowing for a simple, cost-effective manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
an air channel coupled to the gas inlet and operable to conduct pressured air flow into the cavity to maintain an air pressure inside the cavity above an air pressure outside the cavity
Implementation Method 2
a relative high-speed airflow out of the gas outlet... the liquid pollutions/contaminants can be stopped outside the cavity
Implementation Method 3
The radial seal is elastically arranged between the third side wall and the first side wall to abut against the third side wall and the first side wall in the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing arrangement for application in a robot joint. The sealing arrangement includes: a circular sealing assembly arranged between a swing and a base of the robot joint in a longitudinal direction, the circular sealing assembly defining a tubular cavity in a circumferential direction and having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; and an air channel coupled to the gas inlet and operable to continuously conduct pressured air flow into the cavity to maintain an air pressure inside the cavity above an air pressure outside the cavity, and thereby a high-speed airflow out of the gas outlet.