Robotic Arm Rope Assembly for Easier Wire Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic arm assembly construction methods face difficulties in threading and replacing control wires, especially for long and thin arms with a dense concentration of thin wires, making it challenging to construct and repair.

Innovation Solution

The method involves pre-threading rope bearings onto a rope assembly, which are then removably attached to the robotic arm links using brackets and caps, allowing for easier installation and replacement of the rope assemblies as units, rather than individual wires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If control wires are individually threaded through each link of the robotic arm, then the robotic arm can achieve a dense concentration of control wires, but it becomes difficult to construct and repair the robotic arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of control wiresVSAvoidease of replacing control wires

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm is divided into modular links that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each link contains integrated wire threading features, allowing the control wires to be threaded once at the link level rather than through the entire arm, facilitating easy replacement of individual sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Control wires are pre-threaded through the links during the manufacturing or initial assembly phase. The links are designed with pre-formed channels or guides that direct wire placement, eliminating the need for complex threading operations during later maintenance or repair activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If individual holes are extruded or drilled for each control wire in each link, then the control wires can be individually positioned, but the construction process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning of control wiresVSAvoidease of constructing robotic arm

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple wire channels or positioning features are integrated into single structural elements of the links. The link design combines wire guides, mounting brackets, and structural components into unified parts that are manufactured as single pieces, reducing the number of separate drilling and extrusion operations required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The links are designed with universal mounting features and standardized channel configurations that can accommodate multiple different control wires and cable types. This multi-functional design allows the same link structure to serve both structural support and wire routing functions across different robotic arm configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3575907B1Robotic arm assembly construction

Publication Date: 2021.09.15 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A method is provided for constructing a robotic arm (104) including a plurality of links (116) and a rope assembly (122). The method includes providing the rope assembly (122) having a rope with a plurality of rope bearings (126) threaded thereon; and attaching the plurality of rope bearings (126) of the rope assembly (122) to the plurality of links (116) of the robotic arm (104).