3D-Deflectable Line Guide With Elastic Return for Robot Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing line guide apparatuses for robots with multiple degrees of freedom, such as industrial articulated-arm robots, are complex and occupy structural space, impairing the robot's freedom of movement, and require additional structural space for resetting systems.
Innovation Solution
A line guide apparatus with a variable-length portion that includes elastic return elements and links connected in a way that allows relative rotation and longitudinal adjustment, enabling a compact and lightweight solution for guiding lines between movable connection points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional resetting systems with deflection rollers are used, then the line guide apparatus can restore excess length, but the system becomes complex and occupies structural space that impairs robot freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the return element from rigid (conventional rollers) to elastic (spring element), allowing it to deform and store energy. This enables the restoring function through elastic deformation rather than mechanical rolling, simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining the ability to restore excess line guide apparatus length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential restoring function from the complex deflection roller mechanism and implements it through a simple elastic spring element mounted directly on the robot arm. This removes unnecessary mechanical components while preserving the core functionality of returning excess length to the retracted position.
2Reliability
If conventional resetting systems with deflection rollers are used, then the line guide apparatus can restore excess length, but additional structural space is required that impairs robot freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is nested within the existing structure of the line guide apparatus, utilizing the internal accommodation space rather than requiring external mounting. This allows the restoring mechanism to be integrated into the existing design without adding external structural space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By using an elastic spring element instead of a rigid deflection roller system, the invention reduces the spatial footprint of the restoring mechanism. The spring can be compactly mounted on the robot arm structure, minimizing the additional space required while maintaining the restoring function.
3Device complexity
If resilient rods are used in the accommodation space for return purposes, then the structure is simplified, but structural space or movement play is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a spring element that can be mounted on the external surface of the robot arm rather than requiring internal accommodation space. This changes the spatial arrangement from internal nesting to external mounting, eliminating the need for additional internal structural space while maintaining system simplicity.
4Length of stationary object
If the line guide apparatus is made longer to cover greater distance and rotation angles, then the coverage is improved, but uncontrolled movements occur due to positionally dependent excess length
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element acts as a passive feedback mechanism that continuously exerts a restoring force to return the line guide apparatus to its retracted position. This automatic feedback eliminates uncontrolled movements by providing a counteracting force proportional to the extension, maintaining position control without requiring active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides preliminary counteracting force that opposes the extension of the line guide apparatus before uncontrolled movements can occur. This pre-applied restoring force prevents excess length from causing instability, allowing the apparatus to be extended without compromising position control.
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 provides a simplified, compact, and lightweight mechanism for guiding lines, allowing for three-dimensional deflection and length adjustment without occupying excessive space, thus enhancing the robot's freedom of movement.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic return element which is elastically longitudinally expandable and exerts on the variable-length portion a return force which counteracts elongation of the variable-length portion
Data Source
AI summary
A line guide apparatus for guiding lines, such as cables, hoses or the like, in particular on an industrial robot. The line guide apparatus comprises links which are connected in articulated manner by a three-dimensionally deflectable articulated connection. Provision is made for the line guide apparatus to have a variable-length portion, which comprises a number of links which are connected together so as to be longitudinally adjustable relative to one another, wherein an elastically longitudinally expandable return element exerts a return force on the variable-length portion, which counteracts elongation of the variable-length portion. The links are in particular connected or couplable in such a way that longitudinal adjustment of two links relative to one another brings about relative rotation thereof.