ROBOTIC ARM ASSEMBLY WITH ANGULAR CONTACT CARTRIDGE BEARINGS

摘要

A robotic arm assembly includes a first arm and second arm coupled by a shaft and bearing assembly, forming a joint at which the first arm rotates about a joint axis. The bearing assembly includes angular contact cartridge bearings contacting corresponding angled surfaces of the assembly, and a bearing cap. The shaft is attached to the first arm, extends through the second arm, and is attached to the bearing cap such that the bearing assembly is axially compressed between the bearing cap and the first arm. The bearing assembly may include components for preloading the bearing assembly and enabling components to self-align during assembly.

主权项

1. A robotic arm assembly, comprising:
a first arm; a second arm comprising a bore extending along a joint axis from a first opening to a second opening; a shaft attached to the first arm and extending through the bore; a first annular angled surface; a second annular angled surface; and a bearing assembly coupling the first arm to the second arm wherein the first arm is rotatable relative to the second arm, the bearing assembly comprising: a first portion positioned coaxially about the shaft between the first arm and the first opening, the first portion comprising a first angular contact cartridge bearing contacting the first annular angled surface; a bearing cap; and a second portion positioned coaxially about the shaft between the second opening and the bearing cap, the second portion comprising a second angular contact cartridge bearing contacting the second annular angled surface, wherein the bearing cap is secured to the shaft such that the bearing assembly is compressed along the joint axis.