Robot Thermal Management With Segregated Heat Dissipation Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
In robots, the close proximity of heat-generating components like motors and motor control devices within a narrow casing poses a challenge for effective heat dissipation, leading to potential malfunctions and safety issues due to differing thermal characteristics and temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of separate heat dissipation paths using thermally conductive members for the motor and motor control devices, preventing direct heat conduction between them, and employing air cooling fans to enhance heat dissipation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heat-generating components (motor and motor control device) are installed close to each other in a narrow casing, then the robot structure becomes compact, but heat dissipation becomes difficult and temperature differences cause malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat dissipation system into separate independent paths: one path for the motor (through motor mounting bracket to casing) and another path for the motor control device (through control device mounting bracket to casing). This segmentation allows each component to dissipate heat independently without thermal interference, resolving the contradiction between compact installation and effective heat dissipation.
2Reliability
If separate heat dissipation paths are provided for motor and motor control device, then heat dissipation stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting bracket and control device mounting bracket serve dual functions: they mechanically mount the components to the casing and simultaneously function as heat dissipation pathways. This multi-functionality provides separate heat dissipation paths without adding extra dedicated heat dissipation components, thus improving reliability while avoiding increased device complexity.
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
This approach allows for stable heat dissipation from both components, preventing motor control device malfunctions and ensuring the robot operates safely and efficiently even when components are closely installed.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat conduction member that connects the motor control unit and the first heat dissipation member to each other, and a second heat conduction member that connects the motor and the second heat dissipation member to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes a first link, a second link, a motor configured to displace the second link with respect to the first link, a motor control unit configured to control the motor, a first heat dissipation member, a second heat dissipation member, a first heat conduction member configured to connect the motor control unit and the first heat dissipation member to each other, and a second heat conduction member configured to connect the motor and the second heat dissipation member to each other. The first heat conduction member and the second heat conduction member are separated from each other, and the first heat dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member are separated from each other.