Ati Industrial Automation, Inc.

Dustin Christopher Simons

Daniel Allen Norton

David John Bohle, Ii

Baron Kendrick

Sophia Katrina Davis

To substantially eliminate torsional freeplay in a robotic tool changer having a ball-lock coupling mechanism, scallop-like features in the form of cross-contact recesses are formed in at least one of, and preferably both of, a bearing race in a tool assembly at the points of contact of rolling members, and in the opposing inner surfaces of bores containing the rolling members in a master assembly. The cross-contact recesses are sized and shaped to receive a rolling member, but have a central void, or channel, perpendicular to the rolling member's motion in torsional freeplay, which does not contact the rolling member. The cross-contact recess contacts the rolling member at contact areas on either side of the central void. These contact areas impart two separate contact forces on the rolling member, both angled toward the center of the rolling member and hence operative to prevent side-to-side movement, or rocking, of the rolling member within the cross-contact recess, and hence substantially eliminating torsional freeplay of the robotic tool changer.

Robotic tool changer coupling mechanism with increased torsional rigidity and reduced freeplay

A motor brush quick change assembly that includes brush units and electrical spring contacts. The brush units include a carrier with a housing and a brush. The electrical spring contacts are connected to an electrical device. Each of the brush units is configured to be removably attached to the electrical device to contact one of the electrical spring contacts. The brush unit thus provide for both a mechanical and electrical connection to the electrical device. The brush units are configured to prevent the need for separate electrical leads that require separate attachment and detachment to the electrical device. This design provides for straight-forward removal and replacement that can be performed by a robotic device or an operator.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Dustin Christopher Simons