Horizontal Robot Shaft Stopper With Integrated Shock Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional horizontal articulated robots face challenges in reliably limiting the vertical movement of a shaft within a predetermined range, as existing stopper mechanisms may fail to absorb impacts effectively, leading to potential breakage of components and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A stopper mechanism is integrated with a fixing section and a shock absorbing section, where the shock absorbing section is elastically compressed when the shaft tries to move beyond its movable range, absorbing impacts and preventing component breakage by being sandwiched between the fixing section and the second arm, thus enhancing the robot's reliability and minimizing additional components and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional stopper mechanism is used to limit shaft movement, then the shaft movement is limited within a predetermined range, but the impact absorption capability is insufficient leading to component breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidimpact absorption capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper incorporates a shock absorbing section with elastic elements (such as springs or elastomers) that are pre-configured to compress and absorb impact energy before the shaft can move beyond its movable range. This beforehand cushioning mechanism prevents component breakage by dissipating the impact energy through elastic deformation of the shock absorbing section, thereby resolving the contradiction between limiting movement and absorbing impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Strength

If a stopper mechanism with shock absorption is added, then impact absorption capability is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the fixing section that limits shaft movement and the shock absorbing section that absorbs impact are combined into one unified stopper structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate stopper and shock absorber components, thereby improving impact absorption capability while minimizing device complexity and the number of parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs both movement limitation and shock absorption functions. The fixing section provides the mechanical stop function while the integrated shock absorbing section provides impact protection, making the stopper a universal component that addresses multiple requirements without adding additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If additional shock absorption components are added to the stopper, then impact absorption is improved, but the weight of the shaft assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidshaft assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorbing section utilizes flexible elastic elements such as springs or elastomeric materials that provide effective impact absorption with minimal mass. These flexible components absorb impact energy through deformation rather than requiring heavy solid structures, thereby improving impact absorption capability while minimizing the increase in shaft assembly weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 stopper mechanism effectively limits the shaft's movement within a predetermined range while absorbing impacts, preventing component breakage and enhancing the reliability of the horizontal articulated robot, with a simplified structure that minimizes operational performance impact.

Implementation Method 1

a shock absorbing section that is fixed to one of the fixing section and the second arm, and the shock absorbing section is disposed in a position sandwiched by the fixing section and the second arm in the vertical direction and is elastically compressed in the vertical direction when the shaft tries to move beyond the movable range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic compression: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10933525B2Horizontal articulated robot

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A horizontal articulated robot includes a base, a first arm supported by the base to be pivotable in a horizontal direction, a second arm supported by the first arm to be pivotable in the horizontal direction, a shaft supported by the second arm to be linearly movable along a longitudinal axis in a vertical direction, and a stopper mounted to the shaft and limiting movement of the shaft within a movable range. The stopper includes a fixing section fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and protruding therefrom, and a shock absorbing section fixed to one of the fixing section and the second arm. The shock absorbing section is disposed in a position sandwiched by the fixing section and the second arm in the vertical direction, and is elastically compressed in the vertical direction when the shaft tries to move beyond the movable range.