Leakage Detection Device for Industrial Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robots in the food industry face challenges with corrosion and leakage due to harsh washdown environments, leading to contamination and damage, as existing sealing technologies fail to prevent water and chemical agents from entering the robot, causing corrosion and bacterial growth.
Innovation Solution
A leakage detection device with indicator strips and a sensor module that distinguishes between water and lubricant based on color changes, allowing for early detection and prevention of damage, using pH-strips to differentiate between corrosive and non-corrosive substances and locate leaks within the robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing technologies are used in robot joints, then the robot can operate with rotating joints, but water and chemical agents can still penetrate inside during washdown, causing corrosion and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing indicator strips inside the robot joint that change color before severe corrosion or contamination occurs. The indicator strip detects water penetration early through color change, allowing maintenance to be performed before damage happens, thus preventing the harmful effects rather than just sealing against them
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator strip acts as an intermediary between the sealing system and the external environment. It provides visual feedback about the sealing status without requiring complex sensors or electronics inside the joint, translating internal conditions into observable color changes that indicate when maintenance is needed
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If indicator paper is used to detect leakage, then leakage can be detected, but it cannot distinguish between different types of liquids (lubricant vs water)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different zones on the indicator strip with different pH sensitivity characteristics. The strip contains multiple indicator layers or zones that respond differently to various liquids - one zone changes color in response to water (pH-sensitive) while another zone responds to lubricant presence, allowing simultaneous detection and differentiation of liquid types in different locations on the same strip
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator strip utilizes parameter changes by employing pH-sensitive materials that change color based on the pH level of the liquid they contact. Since water and lubricants have different pH characteristics, the strip can distinguish between them through color changes. This allows the system to detect not just the presence of liquid but also its type, preventing loss of information about liquid identity
3Reliability
If the robot is designed with tight sealing from outside, then corrosion resistance improves, but it becomes difficult to detect internal leakage of lubricant before it contaminates food
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator strip system enables self-service by allowing the robot to monitor its own internal condition without external inspection. The strip is positioned inside the joint where it can autonomously detect lubricant leakage and provide visual feedback, enabling the system to self-diagnose contamination risks before they affect food safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing the indicator strip in a position where it detects lubricant leakage at an early stage, before the lubricant can escape and contaminate food. The strip provides advance warning through color change, allowing maintenance to be performed proactively rather than reactively after contamination occurs
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
The solution enables early detection of leaks, preventing damage to the robot and food, prolonging the robot's lifespan by distinguishing between lubricant and water leaks and identifying corrosive substances, allowing for timely maintenance and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
the indicator strip is a pH-strip configured to change color in dependence on the pH value of a liquid in contact with it
Implementation Method 2
a sensor module configured to detect changes in color of the indicator strip
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial robot for food industry having a leakage detection device for detecting a liquid leaking into the robot, and the leakage detection device includes at least one indicator strip arranged inside the robot and configured to change color in contact with a liquid, a sensor module configured to detect changes in color of the at least one indicator strip, and a detector unit configured to determine presence of liquid inside the robot based on the detected color changes of the indicator strip, and the leakage detection device in is capable of distinguishing between lubricant and water.