U.S. patent application number 11/953707 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for cable guide device for industrial robot.
Invention is credited to Kwang Sul Choi.
Application Number | 20090146019 11/953707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40720611 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090146019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Kwang Sul |
June 11, 2009 |
CABLE GUIDE DEVICE FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOT
Abstract
A cable guide device for an industrial robot is disclosed. The
cable guide device includes a tube ring coupled to an end portion
of a cable tube of an industrial robot, a cable distributor
insertedly coupled in the tube ring and having a plurality of cable
inserting holes through which cables introduced into the cable tube
pass, a tube clamp rotatably fitted around an outer peripheral
surface of the tube ring and having a ring shape, a head coupling
unit coupled to the tube clamp, and a clamp supporting unit having
a first end portion fitted around an outer surface of an arm of the
industrial robot and a second end portion coupled to the head
coupling unit, to keep the cable tube at a predetermined distance
away from the outer surface of the arm.
Inventors: |
Choi; Kwang Sul; (Ulsan
City, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRANKLIN & ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL LLC
230 St. Francis Drive, Suite 1
SANTA FE
NM
87501
US
|
Family ID: |
40720611 |
Appl. No.: |
11/953707 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/62 ;
901/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/01 20130101; Y10T
74/20311 20150115; F16L 3/245 20190801 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/62 ;
901/50 |
International
Class: |
F16L 3/08 20060101
F16L003/08 |
Claims
1. A cable guide device for an industrial robot to prevent a
plurality of cables and a cable tube enveloping the cables between
an arm and a head of the industrial robot from being twisted or
bent or damaged due to contact with an outer surface of the arm
during operation of the robot, the device comprising: a tube ring
coupled to an end portion of the cable tube of the industrial
robot; a cable distributor insertedly coupled in the tube ring, the
cable distributor having a plurality of cable inserting holes
through which the cables introduced into the cable tube of the
industrial robot pass; a tube clamp rotatably fitted around an
outer peripheral surface of the tube ring, the tube clamp having a
ring shape; a head coupling unit coupled to a portion of the tube
clamp; and a clamp supporting unit having a first end portion
fitted around the outer surface of the arm of the industrial robot
and a second end portion coupled to the head coupling unit, the
clamp supporting unit keeping the cable tube of the industrial
robot at a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of
the arm, wherein the head coupling unit includes: a rotating shaft
including a plate part at a first end portion to be coupled to the
tube clamp and a protruding part at a second end portion, the
protruding part having a rotating groove formed around an outer
peripheral surface thereof; a rotating bracket including a first
surface formed with a shaft rotating recess to receive the
protruding part of the rotating shaft and a second surface coupled
to the clamp supporting unit, the shaft rotating recess having a
rotating groove formed around an inner peripheral surface thereof;
and a ball bearing provided between the rotating groove of the
rotating shaft and the rotating groove of the shaft rotating
recess, to enable the protruding part of the rotating shaft to be
securely received in the shaft rotating recess of the rotating
bracket and to smoothly rotate without separation.
2. The cable guide device for an industrial robot according to
claim 1, wherein the tube ring has an outer peripheral surface
which is convexly curved as it progresses from both edge portions
to a middle portion, and a separation preventing protrusion formed
around one of the edge portions, and the tube clamp has an inner
peripheral surface which is concavely curved as it progresses from
both edge portions to a middle portion, whereby the tube clamp
fitted around the outer peripheral surface of the tube ring is
prevented from being separated from the tube ring.
3. The cable guide device for an industrial robot according to
claim 1, wherein the tube ring includes a cover member which
extends in a pipe shape from one end of the tube ring to prevent
bending of the cable tube of the industrial robot by surrounding an
outer peripheral surface of the cable tube, and a flexible pipe
provided between the cover member and the cable tube, whereby the
flexible pipe enables the cable tube to smoothly rotate while
decreasing rotational friction due to direct contact of an inner
peripheral surface of the cover member and the outer peripheral
surface of the cable tube.
4. The cable guide device for an industrial robot according to
claim 1, wherein the clamp supporting unit includes a clamp support
ring fitted around the outer surface of the arm of the industrial
robot, and a spring shaft having a first end portion coupled to the
clamp support ring and a second end portion coupled to the head
coupling unit.
5. The cable guide device for an industrial robot according to
claim 1, wherein the clamp supporting unit includes a clamp support
ring fitted around the outer surface of the arm of the industrial
robot, the clamp support ring having a pair of coupling protrusions
opposing each other, and a connecting shaft having a first end
portion formed with a coupling slot and a second end portion
coupled to the head coupling unit, whereby the first end portion of
the connecting shaft is rotatably interposed between the pair of
coupling protrusions of the clamp support ring by a pin fitted
through the coupling protrusions and the coupling slot of the
connecting shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a cable guide device, and
more particularly, to a cable guide device for an industrial robot,
which can prevent cables mounted for operation of an industrial
robot from being contacted with an outer surface of a robot
arm.
[0002] Generally, an industrial robot includes an arm which
relatively rotates, and a head which is mounted to a front end of
the arm to hold various tools. In order to transmit or receive
power and a control signal to/from the head, a plurality of cables,
such as a power cable, a manipulation cable, a water cable and the
like, are arranged along the outer surface of the arm.
[0003] Such cables necessary for operation of the industrial robot
may obstruct the operation of the robot. To solve this problem, the
plurality of cables are enveloped in a cable tube between the arm
and the head, and the cable tube is arranged so as not to obstruct
the operation within a radius of operation of the industrial robot,
and then is connected to a system mounted behind the industrial
robot.
[0004] However, when the head operates, the cable tube shakes and
collides with the outer surface of the arm. Thus, the cables in the
cable tube suffer damage.
[0005] Describing in detail, when the head operates, the
conventional cable tube for an industrial robot suffers
friction-induced damage due to contact with the outer surface of
the arm and bending due to twist. The friction-induced damage and
the bending occurring successively by the operation of the robot
arm cause damage to the cables enveloped in the cable tube.
SUMMARY
[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a cable guide device for an industrial robot, which can
protect cables from damage by preventing a cable tube arranged
between an arm and a head of a robot from being contacted with the
arm and twisted during operation of the head.
[0007] Additional objects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice
of the invention.
[0008] The objects and other advantages of the invention may be
realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in
the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended
drawings.
[0009] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a cable guide device for an industrial
robot to prevent a plurality of cables and a cable tube enveloping
the cables between an arm and a head of the industrial robot from
being twisted or bent or damaged due to contact with an outer
surface of the arm during operation of the robot, comprises: a tube
ring coupled to an end portion of the cable tube of the industrial
robot; a cable distributor insertedly coupled in the tube ring, the
cable distributor having a plurality of cable inserting holes
through which the cables introduced into the cable tube of the
industrial robot pass; a tube clamp rotatably fitted around an
outer peripheral surface of the tube ring, the tube clamp having a
ring shape; a head coupling unit coupled to a portion of the tube
clamp; and a clamp supporting unit having a first end portion
fitted around the outer surface of the arm of the industrial robot
and a second end portion coupled to the head coupling unit, the
clamp supporting unit keeping the cable tube of the industrial
robot at a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of
the arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a mounting state of
a cable guide device for an industrial robot according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the cable guide
device for an industrial robot according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating modified example
of a tube ring depicted in FIG. 3;
[0015] FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views illustrating modified
examples of a cable distributor depicted in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIGS. 6a and 6b are an exploded perspective view and a
coupled sectional view of a head coupling unit depicted in FIG. 3,
respectively;
[0017] FIGS. 7a and 7b are a coupled perspective view and an
exploded perspective view of a modified example of a head coupling
unit depicted in FIG. 3, respectively;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a modified example
of a clamp supporting unit depicted in FIG. 3; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a cable guide
device for an industrial robot according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.
[0021] Before explaining embodiments of the present invention, it
is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used in
the following specification and appended claims should not be
construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings but be
construed as the meanings and concepts according to the spirit of
the present invention on the basis of the principle that the
inventor is permitted to define appropriate terms for the best
explanation.
[0022] The preferred embodiments described in the following
specification and shown in the accompanying drawings are
illustrative only and are not intended to represent all aspects of
the invention, so that it is to be understood that various
equivalents and modifications can be made without departing from
the spirit of the invention.
[0023] FIGS. 1 to 3 are a sectional view, an overall perspective
view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, illustrating a
cable guide device for an industrial robot according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] As shown in the drawings, a cable guide device 60 for an
industrial robot 10 of this embodiment includes a tube ring 100, a
cable distributor 200, a tube clamp 300, a head coupling unit 400,
and a clamp supporting unit 500.
[0025] The tube ring 100 is a member having a ring shape, an inner
peripheral surface of which is rotatably coupled to an outer
peripheral surface of the cable tube 50 of the industrial robot
10.
[0026] Preferably, the tube ring 100 has a shape such that an outer
peripheral surface is convexly curved as it progresses from both
edge portions to a substantially middle portion.
[0027] The tube ring 100 may be provided with a separation
preventing protrusion 110 protrudingly formed around one edge
portion of the outer peripheral surface, to prevent the separation
of the tube clamp 300 fitted around the outer peripheral surface of
the tube ring 100.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a modified example of the tube ring 100. The
modified tube ring 100 is provided with a cover member 120 which
extends in a pipe shape from one end of the tube ring 100, so as to
prevent bending of the cable tube 50 by surrounding the outer
peripheral surface of the cable tube 50 of the industrial robot
10.
[0029] Preferably, between the cover member 120 of the tube ring
100 and the cable tube 50 is provided a flexible pipe 130. The
flexible pipe 130 enables the cable tube 50 to smoothly rotate
while decreasing rotational friction which would otherwise be
generated due to the direct contact of the inner peripheral surface
of the cover member 120 of the tube ring 100 and the outer
peripheral surface of the cable tube 50.
[0030] The cable distributor 200 is a member to prevent the cables
40 introduced into the cable tube 50 of the industrial robot 10
from being twisted with each other inside the cable tube 50.
[0031] The cable distributor 200 is formed with a plurality of
cable inserting holes 210. The cable distributor 200 is fitted into
the tube ring 100.
[0032] The cables 40 introduced into the cable tube 50 of the
industrial robot 10 pass respectively through the cable inserting
holes 210. Accordingly, the movement of the cables 40 inside the
cable tube 50 is minimized, and thereby twist or bending of the
cables is prevented.
[0033] FIGS. 5a and 5b are views illustrating modified examples of
the cable distributor 200.
[0034] The tube clamp 300 is a member having a ring shape, which is
rotatably fitted around the outer peripheral surface of the tube
ring 100.
[0035] So as not to be separated from the outer peripheral surface
of the tube ring 100, the tube clamp 300 has an inner peripheral
surface formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer
peripheral surface of the tube ring 100.
[0036] In other words, it is preferred that the inner peripheral
surface of the tube clamp 300 is concavely curved as it progresses
from both edge portions to a substantially middle portion.
[0037] The head coupling unit 400 is coupled to a side portion of
the tube clamp 300.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the head coupling unit 400
includes a rotating shaft 410 which has a plate part at one end
portion to be coupled to the tube clamp 300 and a protruding part
411 at the other end portion. The protruding part 411 is formed
with a rotating groove 440 around an outer peripheral surface
thereof.
[0039] The head coupling unit 400 further includes a rotating
bracket 420 which is formed with a shaft rotating recess 421 on an
upper surface to receive the protruding part 411 of the rotating
shaft 410. The shaft rotating recess 421 is formed with a rotating
groove 440 around an inner peripheral surface thereof. The rotating
bracket 420 has a lower surface which is coupled to the clamp
supporting unit 500.
[0040] Between the rotating groove 440 of the rotating shaft 410
and the rotating groove 440 of the shaft rotating recess 421 is
provided a ball bearing 430, so that the protruding part 411 of the
rotating shaft 410 can be securely received in the shaft rotating
recess 421 of the rotating bracket 420 and can smoothly rotate
without separation.
[0041] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a modified example of the head coupling
unit 400. The modified head coupling unit 400 is used when it is
intended to be mounted to the tube clamp 300 positioned at the head
30 of the industrial robot 10.
[0042] The head coupling unit 400 includes a plate-shaped head
bracket 450 which is coupled to a portion of the tube clamp 300,
and a connecting bracket 460 which is coupled to a portion of the
head bracket 450. The connecting bracket 460 has a coupling pipe
470 into which one end portion of the clamp supporting unit 500 is
insertedly coupled.
[0043] The clamp supporting unit 500 is used to keep the cable tube
50 of the industrial robot 10 at a predetermined distance away from
the outer surface of the arm 20.
[0044] The clamp supporting unit 500 is mounted in such a way that
one end portion is fitted around the outer surface of the arm 20 of
the industrial robot 10 and the other end portion is coupled to the
head coupling unit 400.
[0045] Describing in detail, the clamp supporting unit 500 includes
a clamp support ring 510 which is fitted around the outer surface
of the arm 20 of the industrial robot 10, and a spring shaft 520,
one end portion of which is coupled to the clamp support ring 510
and the other end portion of which is coupled to the head coupling
unit 400.
[0046] When the cable tube 50 shakes by the operation of the head
30 of the industrial robot 10, the spring shaft 520 of the clamp
supporting unit 500 can be bent in forward/backward and left/right
directions, thereby preventing the cables 40 in the cable tube 50
from being bent largely.
[0047] When the operation of the head 30 of the industrial robot 10
is stopped, the spring shaft 520 of the clamp supporting unit 500
is restored to its original position. Accordingly, twist of the
cables 40 due to the position change, i.e., the length change of
the cable tube 50 can be prevented.
[0048] FIG. 8 shows a modified example of the clamp supporting unit
500.
[0049] As shown in the drawing, the clamp supporting unit 500
includes a clamp support ring 530 which is fitted around the outer
surface of the arm 20 of the industrial robot 10, and a connecting
shaft 550, a first end portion of which is coupled to the clamp
support ring 530 and a second end portion of which is coupled to
the head coupling unit 400. The clamp support ring 530 is provided
with a pair of coupling protrusions 540 which oppose each other
with a predetermined gap therebetween. The connecting shaft 550 is
formed with a coupling slot 560 at the first end portion. The first
end portion of the connecting shaft 550 is rotatably interposed
between the pair of coupling protrusions 540 of the clamp support
ring 530 by a pin fitted through the coupling protrusions 540 and
the coupling slot 560 of the connecting shaft 550.
[0050] The connecting shaft 550 coupled to the clamp support ring
530 by the pin can rotate in the forward/backward direction
depending on a length of the coupling slot 560. Thus, when the head
30 of the industrial robot 10 operates, the cable tube 50 can
easily move in the forward/backward direction while being spaced at
a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the arm 20.
Accordingly, the cable tube 50 can move smoothly, and thus can be
prevented from being twisted.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a coupled perspective view of the above-described
modified examples of the tube clamp 300, the head coupling unit 400
and the clamp supporting unit 500, which are used when they are
intended to be mounted primarily to the head 30 of the industrial
robot 10.
[0052] In the cable guide device 60 for the industrial robot 10 as
described above, when the head 30 of the industrial robot 10
operates, the cable tube 50 can move smoothly while being spaced at
a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the arm 20 by
the clamp supporting unit 500 capable of being bent in the
forward/backward and left/right directions. Accordingly, twist of
the cables 40 can be prevented.
[0053] Also, when the head 30 operates, the cable tube 50 can shake
without being twisted or bent by virtue of the tube clamp 300
rotatably fitted around the tube ring 100 coupled to the cable tube
50 of the industrial robot 10 and the head coupling unit 400
enabling the rotation of the tube clamp 300.
[0054] As apparent from the above description, the cable guide
device for an industrial robot according to the present invention
can prevent damage of the cable tube, because the tube clamp, the
head coupling unit and the clamp supporting unit support the cable
tube so that the cable tube can move in the forward/backward and
left/right directions without being twisted or bent while being
spaced at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the
arm when the head of the industrial robot operates.
[0055] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *