Stationary Base Robotic Arm for Compact Lab Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic devices for laboratory automation systems are heavy and require large space due to powerful motors and complex transmission systems, making them inefficient for handling samples in a compact environment.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight robotic device with a stationary base and two arms, utilizing three driving devices mounted at the base for rotation and linear movement, allowing for precise positioning in three-dimensional space with reduced space requirements and minimal arm volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If powerful motors and complex transmission systems are used to drive the arms, then the robotic device achieves sufficient driving force, but the device weight and space requirement increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving forceVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the driving devices from the moving arms and relocates them to a stationary base. Specifically, the first driving device is arranged in the base and drives both arms, while the second driving device is received in the second arm but drives only that arm. This extraction of drive functionality from the moving components reduces the weight of the arms and overall device while maintaining sufficient driving force through strategic placement of motors at the base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Power

If powerful motors are mounted on the arms to provide sufficient torque, then the driving capability is improved, but the arm volume and space requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving capabilityVSAvoidarm volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the primary driving functionality from the arms and relocates it to the stationary base. The first driving device in the base drives both arms, eliminating the need for large motors on the arms. Only a second driving device is needed in the second arm for fine positioning, significantly reducing arm volume while maintaining full driving capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The driving function is segmented into two parts: the first driving device in the base handles the primary motion of both arms, while the second driving device in the second arm handles fine positioning. This segmentation allows the arms to be lightweight while the base provides the necessary power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If driving devices are mounted on the moving arms, then the control is simplified, but the device complexity and space requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the primary control functionality from the moving arms and places it in the stationary base. The first driving device in the base controls both arms, simplifying the overall control architecture. The second driving device in the second arm provides additional control for fine positioning. This extraction reduces structural complexity while maintaining ease of operation through centralized control in the base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3056320B1Robotic device and laboratory automation system comprising robotic device
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
  • EP3056320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3056320B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3056320B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a robotic device (1) comprising a stationary base (10), a first arm (11) rotationally mounted on the base (10) for rotation about a first axis (I), a second arm (12) rotationally mounted on the first arm (11) for rotation about a second axis (II), which second axis (II) is parallel to the first axis (I), a first driving device (30) for driving the first arm (11) to rotate about the first axis (I), and a second arm drive unit (4) with a second driving device (40) for driving the second arm (12) to rotate about the second axis (I), wherein the first driving device (30) and the second driving devices (40) are mounted stationary at the base (1), wherein a linear drive unit (4) is provided for moving the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) in a direction parallel to the first axis (I) and the second axis (II), and wherein the linear drive unit (4) comprises a third driving device (40) mounted stationary at the base (10). The invention further relates to a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory device (1).