Robot Joint Housing With Threaded Bearing Support Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing joint structures for robot arms face challenges in efficiently fastening two housings that support the outer ring of a bearing, leading to complex fastening processes and increased housing sizes due to the need for bolt holes and spaces.
Innovation Solution
A joint apparatus for a robot is designed with two housings that are fastened using threads, where the first housing has a support region for the front surface of the outer ring and a fastening region with a first thread, and the second housing has a support region for the rear surface and a fastening region with a second thread that engages the first thread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two housings are fastened with bolts, then the bearing is securely supported, but the fastening process becomes complex and the housing sizes increase due to bolt holes and spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from traditional bolt connections and relocates it to the bearing structure itself. The bearing is designed with protrusions that engage with recesses in the housings, separating the support function from the fastening function. This eliminates the need for separate bolts and holes while maintaining secure support.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing acts as an intermediary element that simultaneously provides both support and fastening functions. The protrusions on the bearing serve as the connecting mechanism between the two housings, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and simplifying the overall structure.
2Reliability
If two housings are fastened with bolts, then the bearing is securely supported, but the housing sizes become big due to bolt holes and spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the volume-consuming bolt holes and fastening spaces from the housing design. By integrating the fastening function into the bearing structure through protrusions and recesses, the housings can be minimized to only the volume required for bearing support, eliminating unnecessary space.
3Ease of manufacture
If threads are used to fasten housings, then the fastening process is simplified and housing size is reduced, but the thread engagement must be precisely formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the housing structure and places it on the bearing. The protrusions and recesses are formed directly on the bearing, which is a precision component anyway, so the additional precision requirement is minimal. This approach simplifies housing manufacturing while maintaining ease of assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint apparatus for a robot includes a housing, a bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring contacting the housing, a rotating member contacting the inner ring of the bearing, and a driving apparatus configured to rotate the rotating member, where the first housing includes a first support region configured to support a front surface of the outer ring and a first fastening region extending rearward from the first support region and on which a first thread is formed, the sounding housing includes a second support region configured to support a rear surface of the outer ring and a second fastening region extending forward from the second support region and on which a second thread is formed, and the second thread is configured to engage the first thread.