GB2137423A - Robot support pod - Google Patents

Abstract

A pod for supporting a robot incorporates electronic circuitry for the control of the robot. The pod comprises a central strut which is generally H-shaped having a cross bar 10 and two uprights 12A and 12B. The end portions 14A and 14B of the uprights are splayed apart. Four covers 18, 20, 22 and 24 are secured to the ends of the uprights and thereby define four channels. The two smaller channels act as conduits encasing power leads to the robot motors while the larger compartments closed in by the covers 22 and 24 serve to contain electrical circuit boards 34 supporting the control circuitry. The covers 22 and 24 are finned and serve as heat sinks for power components 38 which are mounted in recesses in the covers, the recesses being closed in by lids 40. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Robot support pod The present invention relates to a support pod for a robot.

The invention seeks to provide a support pod which acts also as a housing for electronic components used in powering the motors of the robot. The invention seeks in particular to provide a pod construction which whilst affording the necessary structural rigidity, encases the electrical components to protect them from any hostile environment in which they may be operating and which also ensures that power components are suitably cooled.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pod for a robot which comprises a support strut the cross-section of which includes spaced limbs defining a channel and in which a cover is provided for the said channel mounted on the free ends of the said limbs and carrying on its inner surface means for supporting at least one electrical circuit board.

Preferably, the pod support strut is of H-shaped or I-shaped cross-section defining two channels each closed by a respective cover.

Conveniently, the covers may be finned on their external surfaces and may support power components of the electrical circuitry, the covers acting as a heat sink.

An I-shaped or H-shaped cross-section provides excellent weight supporting properties and is particularly resistant to bending. However, the shape is not particularly suited to withstand torsional stresses.

In the present invention, the covers which connect the free ends of the limbs of the H or Section serve several purposes. First, the covers close in the channels so that the electrical components when mounted in the channels are isolated from the environment. Secondly, the covers increase the torsional rigidity of the entire structure. Finally, because the covers can be finned they may addition~ ally act as heat sinks for any power components incorporated in the electrical circuitry.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the strut may be of a modified H-shaped cross section wherein the ends of the uprights of the H are splayed apart. This form of strut can form the skeleton of a pod structure comprising a total of four channels and four covers enclosing the respective channels and imparting to the outer circumference of the pod a totally circular shape which is best suited for resisting torsional stresses.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a cross section through a support pod in accordance with the invention.

In the accompanying drawing, a support pod is formed of a support strut which is generally Hshaped. The cross bar of the H is designated 10 and the two uprights are designated 1 2A and 1 2B respectively. The ends of the uprights are splayed apart to form the angled portions 14A and 14B.

Four covers 18, 20, 22 and 24 are secured to the ends of the uprights of the H so as to form a circular structure with the H-section strut acting as the skeleton. The covers comprise two small covers 18 and 20 which define small channels which may for example serve as conduits for power leads extending to the motors of the robot. The other covers 22 and 24 are finned on their outer sides and have support posts 28 on which are mounted circuit boards 34. Additionally, circuit elements such as power transistors 38 are mounted on the cover which acts as a heat sink for such components. The power components are located within a recess 36 which in turn is covered by a lid 40 to isolate the electrical components from the environment.

The main strut extends between two mounting flanges 42 of which only one is shown in the section of the drawing. One of the flanges is either floor mounted or roof mounted and the other is adapted for connection to the robot.

Claims (5)

1. A pod for a robot which comprises a support strut the cross-section of which includes spaced limbs defining a channel and in which a cover is provided for the said channel mounted on the free ends of the said limbs and carrying on its inner surface means for supporting at least one electrical circuit board.

2. A robot as claimed in Claim 1, in which the pod support strut is of H-shaped or I-shaped crosssection defining two channels each closed in by a respective cover.

3. A robot as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the or each cover is finned on its external surface and supports power components of the electrical circuitry, the cover acting as a heat sink.

4. A pod as claimed in Claim 1, in which the strut is of a modified H-shaped cross section of which the ends of the uprights of the H are splayed apart, the strut forming the skeleton of a structure comprising a total of four channels and four covers enclosing the respective channels, the channels imparting to the outer circumference of the pod a substantially circular shape whereby to improve the ability of the strut to withstand torsional stresses.

5. A pod for a robot constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.