Robot Speed Reducer Coupling to Prevent Transmission Fall-Off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing falling-off prevention devices for transmissions in industrial robots are inadequate, as they can still detach even when damaged, particularly in environments where human safety is a concern, necessitating a more secure attachment mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A transmission with a falling-off prevention feature that utilizes a string-shaped coupling member to maintain coupling with the mating member, ensuring the transmission remains attached even during displacement or damage, without requiring special design modifications or additional processing on the transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a projection and recess configuration is used to prevent transmission falling-off, then the transmission can be retained on the robot, but the transmission may still fall off if the recess in the plate or the projection on the casing is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefalling-off prevention reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently function to retain the transmission. Even if one segment fails or is damaged, other segments continue to provide retention, thereby maintaining reliability while avoiding the need for complex interlocking projections and recesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling member acts as an intermediary element between the transmission and the robot plate, providing a flexible retention mechanism that does not require direct rigid coupling through projections and recesses. This intermediary approach allows the transmission to be retained even when direct coupling features are damaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional processing is added to the transmission casing to prevent falling-off, then the transmission can be securely retained, but the design flexibility and versatility of the transmission is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefalling-off prevention reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission design flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The falling-off prevention function is extracted from the transmission casing itself and transferred to a separate coupling member. This allows the transmission to maintain its original design without additional processing, while the coupling member provides the necessary retention functionality, thereby preserving design flexibility and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling member is designed as a universal component that can be applied to various transmission types without requiring modifications to the transmissions themselves. This multi-functional approach allows the same coupling member to serve different transmission models, enhancing versatility while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11781637B2Transmission with falling-off prevention feature

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 NABTESCO CORP

AI summary

A speed reducer with a falling-off prevention feature according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a speed reducer for decelerating rotation from a drive source that generates a rotational force and outputting the decelerated rotation, the speed reducer being mounted to a robot; and a coupling member for coupling the speed reducer to the robot. The coupling member maintains coupling between the speed reducer and the robot irrespective of displacement of the speed reducer relative to the robot.