Sealed Robot Controller Layout for Waterproof Dustproof Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial robots lack a controller with equivalent waterproof and dustproof performance, necessitating separate measures for the controller's disposition, which is cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The robot integrates a control board, power supply board, and drive board within a sealed robot main body, using multiple sealing members to ensure waterproof and dustproof performance, with external connection portions and detachable wiring connections for ease of repair and adaptation to varying environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the controller is disposed separately from the robot or placed in a protective box to achieve waterproof performance, then the robot can operate in waterproof environments, but the design complexity and installation trouble increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoiddisposition design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the controller into the robot arm structure, merging previously separate components (controller and robot arm) into a unified waterproof unit. The controller is housed within the robot arm's casing with sealing measures, eliminating the need for separate protective boxes or dispositions and reducing installation complexity while maintaining waterproof performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the controller is disposed separately from the robot to achieve waterproof performance, then the robot can operate in waterproof environments, but additional protective boxes and wiring connections are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidinstallation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is integrated into the robot arm structure, combining previously separate components into a unified waterproof unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate protective boxes and complex wiring connections, significantly improving installation convenience while maintaining waterproof performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the control board and power supply board are integrated inside the robot main body, then the robot structure becomes more compact and wiring is simplified, but thermal management becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring design complexityVSAvoidthermal management
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the internal space of the robot arm into distinct regions: one for heat-generating components (motor, drive board) and another for temperature-sensitive components (control board, power supply board). This spatial segmentation allows compact integration while managing thermal interference through physical separation and targeted cooling measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the robot arm is sealed with multiple sealing members to achieve waterproof performance, then the robot can operate in waterproof environments, but maintenance and repair become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidmaintenance convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs detachable sealing structures and modular design elements that allow the sealing system to be dynamically accessed for maintenance. The casing can be disassembled to expose internal components, and sealing members are positioned to allow inspection and replacement without complete disassembly, balancing waterproof integrity with maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3476554B1robot
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3476554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3476554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3476554B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A robot includes a robot main body (1) that includes a base (20) including a first casing (200) and a robot arm (11 - 14) connected to the base (20) and including a second casing (117), a drive unit (30) that is provided inside the second casing (117) and drives the robot arm (11 - 14), a control board (51) that is provided inside the first casing (200), a power supply board (52) that is provided inside the first casing (200) and supplies electric power to the control board (51), and a drive board (53) that drives the drive unit (30) based on a command from the control board (51), and in which the first casing (200) is constituted with a plurality of members (205, 206), a first sealing member (64) is provided between the plurality of members (205, 206) of the first casing (200), and the second casing (117) is constituted with a plurality of members (105, 106), and a second sealing member (62) is provided between the plurality of members (105, 106) of the second casing (117).