Waterproof Umbilical Arrangement for Industrial Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional umbilical member arrangements in industrial robots are not waterproof, making them unsuitable for applications where liquid or dust exposure is a concern, and they fail to stabilize the motion of the umbilical member effectively.

Innovation Solution

The proposed arrangement includes a forearm with a base part and a first wrist element, a second wrist element, and a work tool, where a speed reducer with a hollow structure is positioned between the base part and the first wrist element, and a bent hollow member with a flange is attached to the first opening via a seal member, while a cylindrical hollow member with a flange is attached to the second opening via another seal member, ensuring the umbilical member is inserted through a waterproofed path using a bearing and oil seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If openings are formed on the wrist element and base part to allow umbilical member insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but liquid or dust may be introduced into the hollow portion affecting the servomotor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveumbilical member insertionVSAvoidliquid or dust ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible waterproof seal member (rubber or silicone material) is installed at the opening where the umbilical member passes through the wrist element. The seal member has a through-hole for the umbilical member and elastically deforms to maintain contact with the opening surface, preventing liquid and dust from entering the hollow portion while allowing the umbilical member to be inserted and removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If the umbilical member is bundled with servo control cable on the robot arm, then device complexity is reduced, but the motion of the umbilical member cannot be stabilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable arrangementVSAvoidumbilical member motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow member is divided into a fixed portion (cylindrical hollow member extending through the speed reducer) and a rotatable portion (bent hollow member that rotates with the wrist element). The umbilical member is placed inside the hollow member, separating it from the external environment and stabilizing its motion during wrist rotation, while the servo control cable remains bundled on the robot arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional umbilical arrangement is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but the robot cannot be used in waterproof applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveumbilical arrangementVSAvoidwaterproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A waterproof seal member made of flexible rubber or silicone material is installed at the opening of the wrist element where the umbilical member passes through. The seal member elastically deforms to maintain sealing contact with the opening surface, preventing liquid and dust from entering the hollow portion containing the servomotor, thereby enabling waterproof application while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof seal member acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the internal hollow portion. It allows the umbilical member to pass through while blocking liquid and dust, serving as a mediator that enables both umbilical insertion and waterproof performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration allows for a waterproofed hollow portion for wiring the work tool, stabilizes the motion of the umbilical member, and extends the lifespan of the umbilical member by accommodating torsion and preventing liquid and dust ingress, enabling the robot to be used in applications requiring waterproofing.

Implementation Method 1

a bent hollow member having a first flange, through which the first umbilical member is inserted, is attached to the first opening via a first seal member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

the bent hollow member is rotatably attached to the cylindrical hollow member within the first wrist element via a bearing and an oil seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS9346174B2Umbilical member arrangement structure of industrial robot having hollow member

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 FANUC LTD

AI summary

An umbilical member arrangement structure capable of being used in a waterproof application, wherein a hollow portion may be independently used for wiring of a work tool, while the motion of an umbilical member for the work tool may be stabilized. A bent hollow member has a first flange attached to a first opening. Between the first flange and a first wrist element, a liquid-tight first seal member is disposed. At a second opening formed on the back side of a forearm base part, a second flange is arranged at a rear end of an I-shaped pipe, and a liquid-tight second seal member, similar to the first seal member 82, is disposed between the second flange and the rear end surface of the base part. The bent hollow member is rotatably connected to the I-shaped pipe via a bearing and an oil seal.