Umbilical Member Clamping Device with Elastic Body and Insert Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing umbilical member clamping devices for industrial robots are costly and prone to deformation due to the need for various elastic body blocks to accommodate different umbilical member shapes and dimensions, and they often collapse under applied forces.
Innovation Solution
An umbilical member clamping device featuring a base member, an elastic body that surrounds the umbilical member bundle, a clamp member that presses the bundle against the base via an elastic body, and insert members at corner portions to distribute pressing forces, maintaining the elastic body's shape and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elastic body blocks with different groove configurations are used to accommodate various umbilical member shapes and dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single elastic body block that can accommodate multiple types of umbilical members through a unified groove configuration. The groove is designed with specific dimensions and shape that can universally fit different umbilical member profiles, eliminating the need for multiple specialized elastic body blocks for different member types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the elastic body block into multiple modular components that can be selectively assembled or configured. This allows the same basic elastic body block design to be adapted for different umbilical member configurations through modular assembly rather than requiring completely different blocks for each member type.
2Device complexity
If a single elastic body is used to surround the umbilical member bundle, then device complexity is reduced, but the umbilical members may collapse under pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcement ribs at specific locations within the elastic body block where umbilical members are most vulnerable to collapse. These localized reinforcement structures provide additional structural support exactly where needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire elastic body, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the elastic body material with rigid reinforcement ribs made of a different material having higher structural strength. This composite structure allows the elastic body to maintain its flexibility and elasticity while the embedded rigid ribs prevent umbilical member collapse under pressing forces.
3Reliability
If the elastic body is made thicker to prevent umbilical member collapse, then reliability is improved, but the dimensions of the clamping device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating structural reinforcement only in the specific regions where umbilical members are most susceptible to collapse, rather than uniformly increasing the thickness of the entire elastic body. This localized reinforcement approach provides the necessary reliability while keeping the overall device dimensions compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by embedding high-strength rigid ribs within the elastic body structure. This allows the elastic body to maintain its original compact dimensions while the internally embedded rigid reinforcement elements provide the additional structural strength needed to prevent umbilical member collapse without increasing external dimensions.
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 effectively distributes pressing forces, prevents umbilical member deformation, allows for versatile application to different shapes and dimensions without requiring multiple elastic bodies, and reduces the need for costly adjustments, resulting in a low-cost, efficient clamping device.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body provided so as to surround a periphery of an umbilical member bundle including the umbilical members
Data Source
AI summary
An umbilical member clamping device includes a base member attached to a body of a robot, an elastic body provided so as to surround a periphery of an umbilical member bundle including umbilical members, a clamp member secured to the base member so as to press the umbilical member bundle to the base member via the elastic body, and an insert member inserted to a corner portion of a space which receives the umbilical member bundle and which is defined by the clamp member and the base member when the clamp member is secured to the base member.