Spring Balancing Device Locking Member Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring balancing devices for industrial robots are difficult and insecure to disassemble, posing challenges during handling and assembly, as they often rely on pins or screws that are hard to release safely.
Innovation Solution
A spring balancing device with a locking member that includes a non-threaded portion in contact with the spring counter force member, providing a secure hold even when the threaded portion is not engaged, and featuring a design with a locking member bore and a non-threaded portion to prevent unintentional removal, ensuring safe disassembly and assembly by maintaining frictional force and contact with the spring counter force member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pins or screws are used to lock the spring arrangement in the spring housing, then the spring arrangement is held securely in position, but the locking member becomes difficult and insecure to dismount for releasing the spring arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is segmented into two distinct portions: a threaded portion for secure engagement with the housing wall and a non-threaded portion for contact with the spring counter force member. This segmentation allows the threaded portion to provide reliable locking while the non-threaded portion enables easier release by simply pulling the locking member outward without unscrewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member transitions from a static, permanently engaged state to a dynamic, easily removable state. The non-threaded portion allows the locking member to be dynamically extracted from the housing by pulling it outward, enabling quick release of the spring arrangement without the need to reverse threading operations.
2Reliability
If the locking member is designed for secure engagement, then the spring arrangement is reliably held, but the locking member may be unintentionally removed during handling
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the locking member have different functional qualities: the threaded portion provides secure engagement with the housing wall through threading, while the non-threaded portion provides contact with the spring counter force member and enables controlled extraction. This local differentiation of qualities allows secure holding during operation while preventing accidental removal through the frictional contact of the non-threaded portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-threaded portion acts as a cushioning element that prevents sudden or unintentional removal of the locking member. The frictional contact between the non-threaded portion and the spring counter force member provides a damping effect that resists accidental disengagement while allowing intentional removal when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locking member is made removable for assembly purposes, then assembly becomes easier, but the spring arrangement may become insecure during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The non-threaded portion is pre-configured to maintain contact with the spring counter force member during the entire assembly and disassembly process. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the spring arrangement remains secured throughout handling operations, eliminating the risk of insecurity that would otherwise exist during assembly procedures.
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 allows for secure and safe handling of the spring balancing device during disassembly and assembly, preventing unintentional removal of the locking member and maintaining the spring arrangement in a compressed or stretched state, ensuring the device can be disconnected from the robot arm without tilting or twisting, thus enhancing operational safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the non-threaded portion has such a length so that when the threaded portion is not engaged with the threaded bore section, the non-threaded portion remains in contact with the spring counter force member for retaining said holding of the spring arrangement
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The present invention regards a spring balancing device (1) comprising a spring housing (3) enclosing a spring arrangement (7); a spring counter force member (5) configured to provide a counter force (F) to hold the spring arrangement (7); a locking member bore (10) formed in a housing wall section (8) of said spring housing (3); a locking member (9) extending through the locking member bore (10) and comprising a non-threaded portion (11) configured to be in contact with the spring counter force member (5) for holding the spring arrangement (7). The locking member (9) comprises a threaded portion (13) mating with a corresponding threaded bore section (15) of the locking member bore (10); and the non-threaded portion (11) has such a length so that when the threaded portion (13) is not engaged with the threaded bore section (15), the non-threaded portion (11) remains in contact with the spring counter force member (5) for retaining said holding of the spring arrangement (7).