Robot Sensor Cover With Coiled Cable for Safe Modular Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable routing methods for robot sensors are complex, prone to entanglement, and restrict robot movement, making it difficult to retrofit or reconfigure sensor modules quickly and safely.
Innovation Solution
A modular sensor arrangement using a sensor receptacle, coiled cable, and overhang design that ensures cables remain in contact with the robot arm segment, preventing sagging and detection by environmental sensors, allowing flexible and interchangeable sensor module attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If cables are routed externally to accommodate changing robot paths, then robot movement freedom is maintained, but cables become entangled with surrounding components or people causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is routed through the robot's hollow structural elements (e.g., through the arm segments themselves) rather than externally. This nesting approach allows the cable to move with the robot without becoming entangled, as it is contained within the robot's own structure throughout its range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable routing is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different robot arm segments. Each segment has its own cable pathway through the hollow structure, allowing independent movement and tension management for each section, preventing entanglement while maintaining flexibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cables are routed within the robot by disassembling it, then cable safety is improved, but installation complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robot's hollow structural elements are pre-designed during manufacturing with integrated cable routing pathways. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex disassembly and custom cable routing during installation, as the cable channels are already built into the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow structural elements serve as intermediaries that guide and protect the cables. Rather than requiring direct access to internal components through disassembly, the pre-formed hollow structures provide ready-made pathways that simplify the installation process while maintaining cable safety.
3Reliability
If sensor modules are permanently integrated into the robot, then sensing reliability is improved, but adaptability and reconfigurability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting system transitions from static permanent integration to dynamic reconfigurable mounting. Sensors can be moved between different locations on the robot or removed entirely, allowing the system to adapt to different sensing requirements while maintaining reliable connections through standardized mounting interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot structure incorporates universal mounting features (such as standardized receptacles or magnetic mounts) that can accommodate different sensor types and locations. This multi-functional approach allows the same mounting system to support various sensing configurations, maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If sensor modules are mounted externally for easy installation, then ease of operation is improved, but cable management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting and cable routing functions are merged into a single integrated process. As the sensor is mounted externally to the robot, the cable is simultaneously routed through the hollow structural elements, combining two complex tasks into one simple installation step.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow structural elements act as intermediaries that receive cables from externally mounted sensors and guide them through the robot's interior. This mediator approach allows external sensor mounting (simple for the user) while maintaining organized internal cable routing (complex for the system).
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
Enables quick and safe installation of sensor modules, maintains cable tension during robot movement, and prevents interference with environmental sensors, enhancing robot flexibility and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a length-elastic cable, in particular a coiled cable, which contacts the electrical contact
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Robot sensor arrangement 1 comprising a sensor receptacle 10; an electrical contact 20 connected to the sensor receptacle 10 and configured to establish electrical contact with a sensor 2 located in the sensor receptacle; a sensor cover 30 with a projection 31 configured to cover the sensor receptacle 10, the sensor cover 30 projecting beyond the sensor receptacle 10 on at least one side with the projection 31 on which the electrical contact 20 is provided; and a coiled cable 40 which contacts the electrical contact 20. Robot arm segment and robot unit with the aforementioned robot sensor arrangement.