Robot Transmission Pressure Compensation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-axis robots used in painting and handling systems for motor vehicle body components face insufficient lubrication due to the spatial position changes of robot gears, which is exacerbated by the partial filling of gear housings with oil to accommodate thermal expansion, and existing solutions like closed pressure equalization tanks are too large for integration in robots.
Innovation Solution
An open system pressure equalization device with a smaller volume, featuring a resilient separator and gas exchange with the environment, allows complete filling of gear housings with lubricant while preventing excessive pressure through controlled gas release and intake, ensuring consistent lubrication regardless of gear position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed pressure equalization tank is used to allow pressure equalization, then the transmission housing can be completely filled with oil, but the tank size becomes too large for integration in a robot
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization tank acts as an intermediary component between the gear housing and the external environment. It mediates the thermal expansion of oil by providing a dedicated space for volume changes, while maintaining pressure equilibrium with the environment through its ventilation opening, thus preventing excessive pressure in the gear housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter regime by introducing a ventilation opening that equalizes pressure with the environment. This allows the pressure equalization tank to operate at atmospheric pressure rather than requiring a large closed volume to accommodate pressure changes, significantly reducing the required tank size for integration in robots.
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 solution effectively prevents leaks by managing pressure within safe limits, maintaining consistent lubrication across a wide temperature range without increasing the size of the pressure equalization tank, allowing for structural integration into multi-axis robots.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient separator (e.g. an elastic membrane) which separates a lubricant side from a gas side in the pressure equalization tank
Implementation Method 2
enables gas exchange with the environment
Implementation Method 3
so that the oil in the transmission housing can expand into the pressure equalization tank when heated
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a robot transmission (1) for a multi-axis robot, in particular for a painting robot or a hand-held robot of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Said transmission comprises a transmission housing (6) which is filled, when in operation, at least partially with a lubricant according to an operationally-dependent lubricant pressure, in order to lubricate the robot transmission (1), and has a construction-defined maximum pressure for the lubrication pressure. The transmission housing (6) is not air-tight if the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) exceeds the maximum pressure. According to the invention, the robot transmission also comprises a pressure compensation device (7) which compensates the pressure in the transmission housing (6) and thus prevents the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) from exceeding the maximum pressure.