Robotic Tool Changer Debris Passages for Clean Ball Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic tool changers face contamination issues due to dust and debris accumulation in the locking mechanism, which affects the precision and reliability of the coupling mechanism during manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates debris passages between the rolling members and the openings in the collar, allowing dust, debris, and media to escape when the assemblies are coupled, maintaining a cleaner locking mechanism and preventing interference with contact surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the steel balls are forced into tight engagement with the bearing race to ensure secure coupling, then the coupling strength is improved, but debris accumulation on the contact surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is divided into multiple functional zones: a rolling member engagement portion that maintains tight contact for coupling strength, and a debris passage portion that creates controlled gaps for debris escape. This segmentation allows the opening to simultaneously achieve secure engagement and debris removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris passage acts as an intermediary channel between the rolling member contact surfaces and the external environment. It provides a dedicated pathway for debris to escape without interfering with the primary coupling function, effectively mediating between the conflicting requirements of tight engagement and debris removal.
2Reliability
If the outer edge of the bore is closed by the steel balls to prevent leakage, then the sealing is improved, but debris escape capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the opening have different geometric characteristics: the rolling member engagement portion provides tight sealing to prevent leakage, while the debris passage portion creates controlled open areas that allow debris escape. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing and debris removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is segmented into a sealing portion that maintains closure to prevent contamination and a debris passage portion that provides escape pathways. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve sealing and debris escape capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If the opening diameter is reduced to retain the rolling member, then the coupling precision is improved, but debris passage capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is segmented into a retention portion with reduced diameter that maintains coupling precision and a debris passage portion with larger effective area that enables debris escape. This segmentation allows the opening to simultaneously achieve precision and debris removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional circular opening to a three-dimensional structure with varying cross-sections. The opening has a smaller diameter at the rolling member engagement zone for precision and a larger effective area at the debris passage zone for debris escape, utilizing dimensional variation to resolve the contradiction.
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 solution ensures a cleaner and smoother operation of the locking mechanism by allowing debris to escape, reducing contamination and maintaining precise contact between the rolling members and the bearing race, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of the robotic tool changer.
Implementation Method 1
the rolling members of the master assembly are urged into tight engagement with the bearing race of the tool assembly
Implementation Method 2
enables dust, debris, media, etc. that is present in and around the contact surfaces of the rolling members and bearing race to escape
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic tool changer includes master and tool assemblies that are coupled by urging a plurality of rolling members contained in openings in the master assembly into contact with a bearing race contained in the tool assembly. Accumulations of debris in and around the contact points between the rolling members and bearing race are permitted to escape via a series of debris passages formed between the rolling members and the openings when the master and tool assemblies are coupled.