Rotating Vacuum Coupling for Robotic Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum supply lines for robotic arms tend to bend and wrap around rotating tools, leading to stress, vacuum loss, and machine downtime due to sharp bends.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable vacuum coupling system with a rotating portion attached to the robotic arm and a fixed portion that maintains vacuum supply without wrapping around the tool, utilizing rotating and fixed vacuum seals to ensure uninterrupted vacuum delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible vacuum supply lines are used to feed vacuum to the rotating tool, then vacuum can be supplied to the rotating tool, but the lines bend and wrap around the tool causing stress and vacuum loss
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum coupling is divided into a fixed portion and a rotating portion, allowing the vacuum supply system to be segmented into stationary and rotating components. This segmentation enables the vacuum seal to remain at the interface between fixed and rotating parts, preventing the vacuum line from wrapping around the tool while still supplying vacuum to the rotating tool.
2Reliability
If the vacuum line is allowed to wrap around the rotating tool, then vacuum can be maintained, but sharp bends create large stresses leading to cracks and machine downtime
Solution Approach 1:
A rotating vacuum seal acts as an intermediary between the fixed vacuum supply and the rotating tool. This intermediary component transfers vacuum from the fixed portion to the rotating portion without requiring the vacuum line to bend or wrap, thereby maintaining vacuum reliability while eliminating stress concentrations that would weaken the line.
3Reliability
If constraints or guides are used to prevent kinks and cracking in vacuum lines, then line integrity is improved, but the lines still experience stress from wrapping
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the vacuum line to wrap around the rotating tool and then using constraints to prevent damage, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the vacuum line fixed and non-wrapping. The rotating vacuum seal rotates instead of the vacuum line, eliminating the wrapping stress entirely while maintaining line integrity.
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
Prevents vacuum loss and machine downtime by maintaining a stable vacuum supply during tool rotation, reducing stress on the vacuum lines and ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum portion further comprises at least one rotating vacuum seal between the fixed portion and the rotating portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum coupling applies vacuum from a vacuum source to a rotating tool attached to a rotating end of a robotic arm. The vacuum coupling includes a rotating portion attaching the rotating tool to the rotating end of the robotic arm. The rotating portion communicates vacuum with the rotating tool. A fixed portion is positioned around the rotating portion such that the rotating portion is rotatable relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion communicates vacuum to the rotating portion. At least one rotating vacuum seal is positioned between the fixed portion and the rotating portion.