Robot Manipulation Unit Recessed Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robots face limitations in manipulability due to protrusions that can interfere with users and surrounding equipment, affecting the usability and efficiency of manipulation units.

Innovation Solution

A manipulation unit with a cylindrical body and tool holder design, featuring manipulated portions recessed into the body to prevent accidental activation and aligned for intuitive use, eliminating protrusions and enhancing manipulability by allowing direct teaching and operation without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a bar-shaped handle protrudes from the robot for manual teaching, then the user can directly teach the robot motion paths, but the protrusion may interfere with users and surrounding equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual teaching capabilityVSAvoidinterference with users and equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having manipulated portions protrude from the cylindrical body, the patent inverts the design by recessing the manipulated portions into the body. This allows the control functions to remain accessible while eliminating the harmful protrusion effect that interferes with users and surrounding equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The manipulated portions are nested within the cylindrical body rather than extending outward. This nesting approach maintains the functionality of manual control while integrating the control elements within the compact cylindrical structure, preventing interference with the external environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If manipulated portions are recessed into the body, then accidental activation is prevented and flush surface is maintained, but accessibility for manipulation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental activationVSAvoidaccessibility of manipulated portions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manipulated portions are designed with locally differentiated features including different depths of recession, different shapes, and different positions around the cylindrical body. This local quality variation ensures that each manipulated portion remains easily accessible and identifiable despite being recessed, while the overall recessed design prevents accidental activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3461598B1Manipulation unit and robot

Publication Date: 2022.11.16 YASKAWA DENKI KK

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AI summary

A manipulation unit includes a body, a tool holder, and a manipulated portion. The body has a first end surface attachable to an attachment target. The tool holder is located on a second end surface of the body, and a tool is attachable to the tool holder. The manipulated portion is located on an outer circumferential surface of the body and includes a manipulated surface that is set deeper in the body than a surrounding portion of the manipulated portion surrounding the manipulated surface.