Robot Joint Stopper Assembly Limits Rotation Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robot joint structures often suffer from damage and aesthetic issues due to the connecting members rotating to a limit position, causing them to bump into the housing, which can lead to mechanical failure and compromised appearance.

Innovation Solution

The proposed assembly includes a stopper assembly with an arc-shaped sliding groove and sliding block to limit the rotary support's rotation range, preventing it from colliding with the servo housing, and a winding assembly to manage tension in flexible printed circuit cables, ensuring the assembly's integrity and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the connecting member is allowed to rotate freely to its limit position, then the rotation range is maximized, but the connecting member bumps into the housing causing damage and aesthetic issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation rangeVSAvoidhousing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper assembly is installed in advance to prevent the connecting member from rotating beyond the predetermined angle. The stopper assembly includes a stopper that contacts the connecting member when it reaches the limit position, applying a counteracting force before damage can occur to the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper assembly acts as an intermediary element between the connecting member and the housing. Instead of allowing the connecting member to directly impact the housing, the stopper assembly intercepts the motion and limits the rotation, preventing harmful contact while maintaining the functional rotation range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the stopper assembly is added to limit rotation, then the housing is protected from damage, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing protectionVSAvoidjoint structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper assembly is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently installed and removed. It consists of discrete elements (stopper, mounting structure) that are added to the existing joint structure without redesigning the entire assembly, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper assembly is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. It uses basic mechanical elements rather than complex mechanisms, keeping the added complexity and cost minimal while effectively solving the housing protection problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10632612B2Assembly for robot and robot having the same

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD

AI summary

An assembly for a robot includes a servo comprising an output gear, a servo housing connected to the servo, a rotary support connected to the servo and the servo housing, the rotary support being configured to rotate as driven by the servo; and a stopper assembly arranged at the servo housing and the rotary support. The stopper assembly is used to limit the rotary support to be rotatable in a predetermined range.