Rotary Joint Microstrip Wavelength Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary joints, such as those described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-33607, face difficulties in performing high-speed communication between a stationary and a rotating body, particularly in robot arms, due to their design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A rotary joint utilizing loose coupling between microstrip lines, where a first microstrip line is disposed along a circular ring on the stationary body and a second microstrip line is disposed on the rotating body, both aligned to match the wavelength of the communication signal, enabling non-contact high-speed communication through electromagnetic coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna element substrates are fixed to support members at multiple locations, then structural stability is improved, but communication speed is insufficient for real-time control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical antenna structure with microstrip lines that utilize electromagnetic field coupling. Instead of using physical antenna elements fixed to support members, the invention uses conductive patterns on dielectric substrates that generate and detect electromagnetic fields, enabling high-speed wireless communication while maintaining structural stability through the microstrip line configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using high-frequency electromagnetic waves and optimizing the microstrip line geometry (width, spacing, length) to achieve impedance matching and maximize coupling efficiency. This allows the system to operate at communication speeds suitable for real-time control while maintaining reliable signal transmission
2Adaptability or versatility
If microstrip lines are arranged along circular rings, then endless rotation is enabled, but signal leakage and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circular microstrip line into multiple segments or sections, each with optimized geometry and positioning. By segmenting the continuous circular path into discrete sections with controlled coupling, the system enables endless rotation while minimizing signal leakage and interference between different parts of the circular trajectory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dielectric substrates and air gaps as intermediary elements between the microstrip lines and the surrounding environment. These intermediaries act as electromagnetic shields and isolation layers that reduce signal leakage and interference while allowing the microstrip lines to maintain their circular configuration for endless rotation
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
Enables high-speed, wideband communication at high RF frequencies between the stationary and rotating bodies, even during endless rotation, with minimal signal leakage and interference, suitable for real-time control of robot arm components.
Implementation Method 1
loose coupling between microstrip lines, where a first microstrip line is disposed along a circular ring on the stationary body and a second microstrip line is disposed on the rotating body, both aligned to match the wavelength of the communication signal, enabling non-contact high-speed communication through electromagnetic coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary joint according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first microstrip line, a second microstrip line, a transmitting circuit connected to one end of the first microstrip line and configured to output a communication signal, a transmitting-side terminator connected to the other end of the first microstrip line, a receiving-side terminator connected to one end of the second microstrip line, and a receiving circuit connected to the other end of the second microstrip line and configured to receive the communication signal, in which the first and second microstrip lines and are set along at least a part of a circular ring having a circumferential length equal to an integral multiple of a wavelength of a traveling wave with which the communication signal propagates through the microstrip lines.