I. Introduction

As a key equipment in modern manufacturing, industrial robots realize production automation and efficient operation. The mechanical structure is one of the basic components of the robot, and the drive system is the core of the mechanical structure. The drive system drives the various parts of the mechanical structure to achieve the predetermined work tasks by providing force and motion. This article will discuss the drive system and introduce the definition, types, components, working principles, and application cases of the drive system.

2. Definition of drive system The drive system refers to the device used to provide force and motion in industrial robots. It converts electricity, hydraulic pressure, air pressure and other energy into mechanical energy to achieve the movement and work of the robot.

3. Types of drive systems According to different energy forms and working principles, drive systems can be divided into the following types:

1. Electric drive system: Electric drive system uses motor as power source to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Common electric drive systems include DC motor, AC motor and stepper motor.

2. Hydraulic drive system: The hydraulic drive system uses hydraulic oil as the transmission medium and transmits force and motion through hydraulic pumps, hydraulic valves and other devices. The hydraulic drive system has the characteristics of high power density and reliability and is often used in industrial robots that carry heavy loads.

3. Pneumatic drive system: Pneumatic drive system uses compressed air as the power source and realizes the movement of mechanical structure through pneumatic components (such as cylinders and pneumatic motors). Pneumatic drive system is usually used in application scenarios with fast speed and simple operation.

4. Mechanical drive system: Mechanical drive system uses mechanical elements to directly transmit force and motion. Common mechanical drive systems include gear drive, belt drive and chain drive.

• Gear transmission: Gear transmission is a commonly used mechanical transmission method that transmits force and motion through the meshing of gears. Gear transmission can achieve the transmission of different speeds and torques, and is efficient and reliable. According to the type and structure of the gear, gear transmission can be divided into spur gear transmission, helical gear transmission, worm gear transmission, etc.

• Belt drive: Belt drive transmits power to mechanical structure through rubber belt or belt. It is simple and smooth, suitable for long-distance transmission and variable speed transmission. Common types of belt drive include parallel shaft belt drive and cross shaft belt drive.

• Chain drive: Chain drive uses the meshing of chains and sprockets to transmit force and motion. It has the characteristics of strong load-bearing capacity and high transmission efficiency, and is often used in situations where large torque and high-speed motion are required. Common types of chain drives include roller chain drives and toothed chain drives.

4. Components of the drive system The drive system consists of multiple components, including power source, transmission device and actuator.

1. Power source: The power source is the energy source of the drive system, which can be in the form of electricity, hydraulic pressure, air pressure, etc. Different types of drive systems use different power sources, such as electric drive systems use motors as power sources, and hydraulic drive systems use hydraulic pumps to provide hydraulic energy.

2. Transmission: The transmission transfers the energy of the power source to the actuator to achieve the transmission of force and motion. Common transmission devices include gears, belts, chains, etc. The selection of the transmission device should take into account factors such as transmission efficiency, load capacity, noise and life.

3. Actuator: The actuator is a mechanical structure driven by the force and motion provided by the drive system to complete the robot's work tasks. The actuator can be a joint of the robot arm, a clamping device, a rotating platform, etc. Choose the appropriate actuator according to different work requirements.

5. Working principle of drive system The working principle of drive system varies according to different types and transmission methods. The following are the working principles of several common drive systems:

1. Electric drive system: Electric drive system uses electric motor as power source, and realizes robot movement by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. DC motor and AC motor are the most commonly used electric drive systems. DC motor changes the direction of magnetic field by changing the direction of current, thereby generating rotational force. AC motor drives the rotor to rotate by the rotating magnetic field generated by alternating current. Stepper motor achieves accurate position control by controlling the frequency and number of pulses of current.

2. Hydraulic drive system: The hydraulic drive system uses hydraulic oil as the transmission medium, generates high-pressure oil flow through the hydraulic pump, and controls the direction and flow of the oil flow through the hydraulic valve, thereby realizing the transmission of force and motion. The hydraulic drive system has the advantages of high power density and reliability, and is suitable for industrial robots with heavy loads. The working principle of the hydraulic drive system is to use the incompressibility of liquids and the characteristics of fluid transmission to achieve force transmission.

3. Pneumatic drive system: Pneumatic drive system uses compressed air as a power source to achieve the movement of mechanical structures through pneumatic components such as cylinders and pneumatic motors. The working principle of the pneumatic drive system is to use the pressure difference of the gas to drive the piston or rotor of the pneumatic component to move, thereby achieving the transmission of force and motion. Pneumatic drive systems are usually used in application scenarios with faster speed and simple operation.

4. Mechanical drive system: Mechanical drive system uses mechanical elements to directly transmit force and motion. Common mechanical drive systems include gear drive, belt drive and chain drive. Gear drive transmits force and motion through the meshing of gears, belt drive transmits power through rubber belts or belts, and chain drive transmits force and motion through the meshing of chains and sprockets. The working principle of mechanical drive system is to use the motion characteristics of different types of mechanical elements to achieve force transmission and motion conversion.

6. Application cases of drive systems Drive systems are widely used in industrial robots in various fields to provide power and motion control for robots. The following are several application cases of drive systems in industrial robots:

1. Automobile Manufacturing: In the automobile manufacturing process, industrial robots are often used in welding, painting, assembly and other processes. The drive system provides force and motion, enabling the robot to accurately perform tasks such as welding joints, spraying car bodies, and installing parts.

2. Medical industry: In the medical field, industrial robots are widely used in surgical assistance, drug production, laboratory automation and other fields. The drive system enables the robot to accurately perform surgical operations, drug preparation and experimental operations, improving surgical accuracy and efficiency.

3. Electronics manufacturing: In the field of electronics manufacturing, industrial robots are often used in processes such as circuit board assembly, chip testing and product packaging. The drive system enables robots to quickly and accurately complete the production and testing process of electronic products through precise force and motion control.

4. Food processing: In the food processing industry, industrial robots are used for tasks such as food packaging, sorting and cooking. The motion control capabilities of the drive system enable the robot to efficiently sort and pack food, ensuring product quality and hygiene safety.

5. Warehousing and logistics: In the field of warehousing and logistics, industrial robots are used for tasks such as cargo handling, warehouse management, and order picking. The drive system enables the robot to accurately grasp and move goods, improving logistics efficiency and accuracy.

Summary: As the core component of industrial robots, drive systems provide power and motion control for robots. Different types of drive systems include electric drive systems, hydraulic drive systems, pneumatic drive systems, and mechanical drive systems, each with different working principles and application scenarios. Drive systems play an important role in industrial robots in various fields, achieving automated production and improving production efficiency.