Industrial Robot Wrist Cable Stability via Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As industrial robots extend their wrist length, cables become longer and more susceptible to weight-induced instability, leading to potential contact with the arm's inner surface during rotation, compromising their reliability.
Innovation Solution
The industrial robot design features a cylindrical member with a wire extending along its outer surface, where the wire has extra length for rotation and is fixed between rotatable members with a friction-reduced third portion, maintaining stability and reducing wear through a smooth inner surface and sealing to prevent dust entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the wrist element length is extended to increase reach, then the robot's working range is improved, but the cable becomes longer and more susceptible to weight-induced instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a friction-reducing treatment (such as coating or polishing) specifically on the inner circumferential surface of the third portion of the wrist element, while other parts of the wrist element maintain their original surface properties. This localized treatment reduces friction between the cable and the wrist element inner surface, preventing cable instability and contact issues that would otherwise occur with extended wrist length.
2Length of moving object
If the cable length is increased to accommodate longer wrist element, then the reach is improved, but the cable becomes more prone to contacting the arm inner surface during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a friction-reducing treatment (such as coating or polishing) specifically on the inner circumferential surface of the third portion of the wrist element, while other parts of the wrist element maintain their original surface properties. This localized treatment reduces friction between the cable and the wrist element inner surface, preventing cable instability and contact issues that would otherwise occur with extended wrist length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is loosely wound to provide extra length for rotation, then the rotation flexibility is improved, but the cable becomes more susceptible to excessive force and displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a friction-reducing treatment (such as coating or polishing) specifically on the inner circumferential surface of the third portion of the wrist element, while other parts of the wrist element maintain their original surface properties. This localized treatment reduces friction between the cable and the wrist element inner surface, preventing cable instability and contact issues that would otherwise occur with extended wrist length.
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 configuration maintains cable stability and reduces wear, ensuring reliable operation even with extended reach, by absorbing path length changes and minimizing friction and dust ingress.
Implementation Method 1
the third portion has an inner circumferential surface that faces the gap and has been subjected to a friction reducing process for reducing friction with the wire
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial robot includes: a first-member and a second-member that are rotatable about a particular axis and that each have a hollow portion extending along the axis; a cylindrical member inserted into the hollow portions along the axis, and fixed to the first-member; and a wire disposed in a cylindrical gap between the cylindrical member, the first-member, and the second-member, the wire having a length that enables rotation between the first-member and the second-member and having one end fixed to the first-member and another end fixed to the second-member. The second-member includes a first-portion rotatably supported by the first-member, a second-portion that fixes the end of the wire, and a third portion serially connected between the second-portion and the first-portion, and the third portion has an inner circumferential surface that faces the gap and has been subjected to a friction reducing process.