Suspended Robot Cable Routing for Narrow-Space Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suspended industrial robots face interference issues with cables when operating in narrow spaces, leading to reduced usability due to cable swinging and winding around workpieces or peripheral devices, limiting their operable range.
Innovation Solution
A suspended industrial robot configuration with a base and swivel section having internal spaces for cable insertion, a cable holding mechanism on the arms, and routing the cable through these spaces to prevent interference, ensuring the cable is held and supported at multiple points to minimize swinging and winding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot operates in narrow spaces between workpieces and peripheral devices, then the robot can access difficult-to-reach areas, but the cable may interfere with workpieces, jigs, or peripheral devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable from the external environment and routes it through the internal space of the robot base and swivel section. This removes the cable from the hazardous external environment where it could interfere with workpieces and peripheral devices, while still allowing the end effector to reach narrow spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is nested within the internal space of the base and swivel section structure. By routing the cable through hollow passages within the robot's own structure rather than along its external surface, the cable is protected from interfering with external objects while the robot operates in confined spaces.
2Ease of operation
If the cable is routed through space above the first wrist element, then the cable can reach the end effector, but the cable may swing and be wound around the robot or peripheral devices when the robot swivels
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing is extracted from the external space above the wrist element and moved inside the robot structure. The cable passes through the internal space of the base and swivel section, eliminating the swinging problem that occurs when cables are routed externally above moving joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is pre-routed through the internal spaces of the base and swivel section before the robot begins operation. This preliminary configuration ensures the cable follows a stable, constrained path that prevents swinging and winding during subsequent robot movements and swiveling.
3Reliability
If the robot base and swivel section have internal space for cable insertion, then the cable path is stabilized, but the base structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space of the base and swivel section serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the robot while simultaneously serving as a cable routing channel. This multi-functionality stabilizes the cable path without requiring separate dedicated cable conduits, thereby minimizing additional structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a suspended industrial robot, a base and a swivel section have an internal space into which a cable can be inserted. The base has an insertion opening through which at least the cable can be passed into the internal space from the outside. A first cable holding part that holds the cable is installed on at least one of a first arm and a second arm. The cable passes through the internal space of the base and the swivel section and is routed up to an end effector with a midway portion of the cable being held by the first cable holding part.