Robot Tool Holder Assembly With Stress-Compensating Hollow Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tool holder assemblies for robots face challenges in managing stresses generated by chip removal during workpiece processing, leading to potential breakage or premature wear of the tool support, and they lack adaptability to optimize working times and handle different surfaces effectively.

Innovation Solution

A tool holder assembly with a tool holder arm and an arm support unit, featuring a hollow guide with compensator means that yieldably contrast axial and angular translations and rotations, allowing for adaptive functioning and stress management by automatically changing its operational parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid connection between the tool and the robot wrist is used, then structural strength is improved, but stress transmission to the robot wrist increases causing breakage or premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidrobot wrist durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the tool holder arm and robot wrist is transformed from a rigid static structure to a dynamic system with compensator means that enable controlled movements. The hollow guide allows axial translation, oscillation about horizontal axis, and rotation about vertical axis, absorbing stresses dynamically while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rigidity parameter of the connection is made variable through the compensator means. The system can transition between rigid and flexible states, changing its mechanical properties to adapt to different operational conditions and stress levels, preventing both breakage and premature wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a fixed rigid tool holder assembly is used, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability to different working requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidworking requirement adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder assembly incorporates multiple degrees of freedom through the hollow guide mechanism, enabling dynamic adjustment of position and orientation. This allows the system to adapt to different working requirements while maintaining precision through controlled movements rather than fixed rigid positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The compensator means with multiple movement capabilities (axial translation, oscillation, rotation) enable the single tool holder assembly to perform multiple functions and adapt to various working conditions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized fixtures while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid tool holder assembly is used, then structural stability is improved, but working time optimization deteriorates due to need for repetitive operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidworking time efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic compensator means allow the tool holder to maintain stable contact with the workpiece while automatically adjusting position and orientation during machining. This enables continuous operation without repetitive repositioning, improving productivity while maintaining structural stability through controlled flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow guide mechanism enables continuous adjustment and maintenance of optimal tool-workpiece contact during the machining process. This continuous adaptation eliminates interruptions and repetitive operations, allowing uninterrupted productive work while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 tool holder assembly effectively mitigates stress transmission from the tool to the robot's wrist, enhances adaptability to various working requirements, and reduces the need for repetitive operations, thereby extending the lifespan of the tool support and improving working efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

first compensator means (22) suitable for yieldably contrasting, that is cushioning, an axial translation of the tool holder arm (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

second compensator means (24) suitable for yieldably contrasting, i.e. cushioning, the oscillation of the hollow guide (20) about the oscillation axis (Y)... third compensator means (26) suitable for yieldably contrasting, i.e. cushioning, a rotation of the tool holder assembly (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4491356A1Tool holder assembly
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 B G E SRL
  • EP4491356A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4491356A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4491356A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tool holder assembly (1) comprises a tool holder arm (10) and an arm support unit (12). The arm support unit (12) may be connected to a wrist of a robot and has a frame structure that houses a hollow guide (20) with the possibility of oscillation. The tool holder arm (10) passes through the hollow guide (20) with the possibility of axial translation. The hollow guide (20) is provided with first compensator means (22) suitable for yieldably contrast the axial translation of the tool holder arm (10) with respect to the arm support unit (12). The arm support unit (12) is provided with second compensator means (24) suitable for yieldably contrast an oscillation of the hollow guide (20) and with third compensator means (26) suitable for yieldably contrast a rotation of the tool holder assembly (1) about a rotation axis (Z).