Wedge-Locked Robot Mounting Connection for Secure Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot mounting methods are costly, difficult to disassemble, and require frequent maintenance checks, making them inefficient for small organizations and posing safety risks due to the potential for robots to become loose during operation.
Innovation Solution
A connecting mechanism with a first section and a second section that are selectively engageable, featuring a stud with a roller bearing and a locking assembly with a wedge, linkage arm, and die spring, allowing for easy attachment, transfer, and secure locking of robots to a working surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robot is welded in position or attached with many fasteners, then the robot is securely mounted and cannot come loose, but it becomes difficult to move the robot to another location and requires regular maintenance checks
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting mechanism is divided into a first section (mounting plate) and a second section (portable section) that can be selectively engaged and disengaged. This segmentation allows the robot mounting system to be divided into movable and stationary components, enabling easy relocation while maintaining secure operation when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically. When locked, the wedge engages the roller bearing to provide secure mounting equivalent to welding or multiple fasteners. When unlocked, the sections can be easily separated for relocation. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between secure mounting and movability.
2Reliability
If a robot is attached with many fasteners, then the robot is securely mounted, but the organization must appoint people to schedule and perform maintenance checks, increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is designed to maintain its locked state automatically through the wedge and roller bearing mechanism without requiring external monitoring or adjustment. The spring-loaded wedge provides continuous engagement force, and the roller bearing ensures smooth, reliable connection. This self-maintaining design eliminates the need for scheduled maintenance checks by personnel, reducing operational costs while ensuring continuous secure mounting.
3Ease of operation
If a simple attachment method is used, then the robot can be easily moved to another location, but the attachment may break or come loose during operation
Solution Approach 1:
A roller bearing (cylindrical/spherical element) is incorporated into the connection between the stud and the locking assembly. This curved rolling element reduces friction and wear during engagement and disengagement, allowing easy movement while maintaining durable, reliable attachment when locked. The rolling contact distributes loads more evenly than sliding contact, preventing wear-induced loosening.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical fastening system (multiple bolts, nuts, and washers) is replaced with a wedge-roller bearing locking mechanism. This substitution maintains attachment durability through the self-tightening wedge action while enabling easy movement through the smooth rolling engagement and disengagement, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
4Reliability
If permanent mounting methods like welding are used, then the robot cannot come loose and safety is improved, but the cost of ownership and use increases due to maintenance checks
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting mechanism uses a simple, inexpensive locking assembly that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, unlike expensive welding operations. The wedge, roller bearing, and spring components are straightforward mechanical elements that provide reliable safety without requiring costly welding equipment, skilled welders, or extensive maintenance personnel, thereby reducing the overall cost of ownership while maintaining safety.
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 mechanism provides a durable, safe, and cost-effective solution for mounting and transferring robots, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring secure attachment, thus enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a die spring positioned on the linkage arm between the first and second ends thereof
Implementation Method 2
a wedge configured to receive the stud therethrough and including a tapered section
Implementation Method 3
The first section includes a stud having a roller bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting mechanism includes a first section and a second section engageable with the first section. The second section includes a locking assembly configured to engage a stud with a roller bearing in the first section. That is, the locking assembly is actuatable between a locked state configured to lock the first section to the second section when the first and second sections are engaged and an unlocked state configured to allow the second section to engage with or disengage from the first section. The locking assembly includes a linkage arm engaging a handle and a wedge having a tapered section. The handle is actuatable between a locked position configured to place the locking assembly in the locked state by advancing the tapered section of the wedge and an unlocked position configured to place the locking assembly in the unlocked state by retracting the tapered section of the wedge.