Robot Limb Housing with Ventilation Cavities for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robot limbs designed for complex movements and harsh environments are vulnerable to damage from extreme heat, water, and explosive conditions, which can lead to failure of electronic components and logic circuits.

Innovation Solution

A limb portion design featuring a housing with actuators and heat sources that includes air openings for ventilation, thermally coupled cavities, and integrated fans to actively cool the components, with temperature sensors to activate fans when necessary, ensuring effective heat management and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the robot limb is exposed to harsh environments (heat, water, explosive conditions), then the robot can perform missions in rough terrain, but the electronic components and logic circuits are vulnerable to damage and failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate in harsh environmentsVSAvoidprotection of electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The limb portion is divided into separate functional sections with distinct housings for electronic components and actuators. The housing encloses sensitive electronics while actuators with heat sources are separately positioned, allowing differential environmental protection and heat management for different components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling system acts as an intermediary between the heat-generating actuators and the electronic components. The cooling system with air openings and airflow paths mediates heat transfer, preventing excessive heat from reaching sensitive electronics while allowing the actuators to operate at required temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuators with heat sources are integrated in the limb portion, then the limb achieves complex movement capabilities, but heat generation threatens the safety of electronic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplex movement capabilityVSAvoidheat management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the limb portion have different thermal characteristics. The housing creates localized thermal zones where electronic components are protected from direct heat exposure, while actuator regions are designed to dissipate heat through dedicated airflow paths and cooling structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A pneumatic cooling system uses air flow through openings in the housing to remove heat from actuators. The cooling system utilizes air circulation patterns to transport heat away from sensitive components, employing fluid dynamics principles to manage thermal loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If the housing encloses heat sources, then component protection is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The housing acts as a controlled enclosure that can be strategically opened with air openings. These openings allow the housing to function both as a protective enclosure and as a heat dissipation structure, enabling flexible thermal management while maintaining component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system utilizes periodic or continuous air flow through the housing openings to maintain thermal management. The airflow patterns create sustained heat removal capability while the housing remains predominantly enclosed for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively protects the robot limb components from heat damage, enhancing reliability and durability in challenging environments by maintaining optimal temperature levels and ensuring continued functionality during missions.

Implementation Method 1

The housing comprises a first air opening, in particular an air inlet, and a second air opening, in particular an air outlet, for an air-stream to vent the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the cavity thermally couples to the first heat source of the first actuator and to the second heat source of the second actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240173874A1Limb portion of robot

Publication Date: 2024.05.30 ANYBOTICS AG

AI summary

Limb portion 1000, in particular a thigh, for a limb of a robot comprising a first actuator 1 adapted to pivotably couple with a first further limb section and a second actuator 2 adapted to pivotably couple with a second further limb section. In addition, the limb portion 1000 comprises a housing 4 enclosing a first heat source 10 of the first actuator 1 and a second heat source 20 of the second actuator 2. The housing 4 forms a cavity 40 that thermally couples to the first heat source 10 and to the second heat source 20. The housing comprises a first air opening 41 and an second air opening 42 for an airstream to vent the cavity 4.