Robot Arm Sprayer Fastening with Anti-Loosening Helical Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sprayer assembly systems on robotic arms are prone to loosening due to vibrations, leading to potential separation and increased downtime for maintenance and sprayer changes, while also being susceptible to clogging from paint particles.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a deformable crown and annular portion that interacts with a nut and flange, providing axial stop and elastic deformation to maintain connection under vibrations, and a third helical portion with inverse pitch to prevent loosening, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If screwed or threaded-tapping assemblies are used to attach the sprayer to the robot arm, then the assembly is simple in design and allows removable assembly, but the assembly loosens due to vibrations during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is designed with rotational freedom along the longitudinal axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and maintain engagement with the flange under vibrational loads, transforming a static connection into a dynamically adaptive one that resists loosening
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into distinct functional segments: the cover attached to the sprayer, the flange attached to the robot arm, and the nut with crown mechanism that provides both threading engagement and anti-loosening functionality through the deformable crown portions
2Reliability
If multiple screwed assemblies are used to attach the sprayer, then the assembly is more secure against vibrations, but the disassembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple securing functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism: the helical portion provides vibration resistance while the deformable crown portions provide additional securing action, both operable through one nut that can be installed and removed as a single unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate fasteners
3Reliability
If the nut is allowed to rotate freely to maintain engagement, then the assembly remains secure under vibration, but the nut may loosen along the longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is designed with rotational freedom along the longitudinal axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and maintain engagement with the flange under vibrational loads, transforming a static connection into a dynamically adaptive one that resists loosening
Solution Approach 2:
The helical threading provides axial securing while the deformable crown portions provide radial engagement, combining both functions in a single component that simultaneously prevents axial loosening and maintains engagement under vibration
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
The solution ensures a secure and quick assembly and disassembly process, reducing the risk of sprayer separation due to vibrations and minimizing exposure to external environments, thus reducing maintenance time and preventing clogging.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable portion deforms to interact with the interface portion of the flange to ensure a connection between the flange and the crown
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening device (1) configured to fix a product sprayer for coating parts onto a robotic arm, the fastening device (1) comprising a hood (2) integral with the robotic arm, having a substantially cylindrical shape extending along a longitudinal axis (X), a nut (3) of substantially cylindrical shape mounted on the hood (2) and comprising a first helical portion (30), a substantially annular flange (4) mounted integral with the sprayer, comprising a second helical portion (41) arranged to cooperate with the first helical portion (30) of the nut (3), and a deformable ring (5) mounted on the nut (3) and comprising an annular portion (50) ensuring an axial stop of the ring (5) relative to the nut (3), and a deformable portion (51) configured to deform by interacting with the flange (4) to ensure a connection between the flange (4) and the ring (5).