Robot Joint Drive Unit Ring Assembly for Easy Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units for robot joints in surgical robots are complex, difficult to repair, and lack flexibility in component replacement or modification, and they pose interference risks in medical environments.
Innovation Solution
A modular drive unit design featuring rings that fixate components within a cylindrical frame, allowing easy assembly and exchange without special tooling, and using conductive materials for electromagnetic shielding, with components aligned by markers and bolts for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If drive units are designed with fixed components in a frame, then the robot joint provides structural stability and stiffness, but the drive unit becomes difficult to repair and modify with different components
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is divided into modular components that can be independently removed and replaced. Each component is housed in its own ring or module that can be detached from the frame without affecting other components, enabling easy repair and modification while maintaining overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit design transitions from a fixed, static configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Components can be dynamically added, removed, or replaced based on operational needs, allowing the system to adapt while maintaining structural integrity through standardized mounting interfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If drive units are designed with fixed components, then the unit maintains structural integrity, but it is not easy to replace or repair components with different ones
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit employs universal mounting interfaces and standardized ring structures that can accommodate different component types. The same basic framework supports various motors, sensors, brakes, and gear trains, providing multi-functionality and adaptability while maintaining structural integrity through consistent design standards.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are nested within rings or modular housings that fit within the overall frame structure. This nested arrangement allows individual components to be independently accessed and replaced while maintaining the integrity of the outer frame and other nested components.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard drive unit design is used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but electromagnetic interference can occur in medical environments
Solution Approach 1:
Conductive rings serve as intermediary shielding elements between electromagnetic sources and sensitive components. These rings act as a barrier that redirects or absorbs electromagnetic interference, protecting the drive unit components while maintaining the overall manufacturing simplicity of the standard drive unit design.
4Volume of moving object
If components are tightly integrated in the frame, then the drive unit is compact, but assembling and exchanging components requires special tooling and is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is segmented into modular components housed in separate rings or modules. This segmentation maintains compactness by organizing components efficiently within the limited space while enabling easy assembly and disassembly of individual modules without requiring special tooling for the entire unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are pre-assembled within their respective rings or modules before being installed in the final drive unit configuration. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final installation process, allowing components to be exchanged as complete modules rather than requiring complex in-situ assembly operations.
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
Facilitates easy repair and modification of drive units, reduces interference, and enables precise motor steering and control, while maintaining electromagnetic compatibility in medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
the rings are made of a material that conducts electricity well. That way the rings provide extra shielding of the electric or magnetic components used in the drive unit and electromagnetic compatibility is more easily reached
Data Source
AI summary
Medical robots used for surgical operations comprise robot arms that have a number of joints that provide flexibility to a tool at the end of the robot arm. The joints in such a robot arm for surgical operations have drive units 1 comprising drive components 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in a frame 10. The drive unit 1 for the robot joint is complex and assembling and repairing and or replacing the unit is not easy. According to the invention the drive components 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are fixed in rings 15 where the inner shape of a ring 15 is adapted to take up and fixate a component 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and where the outer diameter of the rings 15 fits in a cylindrical hole 16 of the frame 10 and where the rings 15 are fixed to the frame 10.