Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Frank J Kudwa

Dante C Zuccaro

Walter B Cwycyshyn

John Kovach

David N Cotsman

A robot tool changer and overload device has first and second separable plates adapted to be respectively connected to a robot arm and to an end of arm tooling device (EOAT) for the robot; a magnet is connected to one of the plates and a steel insert is connected to the other of the plates for providing a magnetic attraction therebetween for holding the first and second plates together; a pair of frustoconical bearing surfaces are formed on the first and second plates at an angle and a depth to interconnect the plates during normal operation and operative to produce pivotal release movement between the plates when an overload force is applied thereto; a flange on one of the plates is adapted to be removably received within a tool cage to cooperate with structure for applying a pneumatic release force between the first and second plates to allow separation therebetween along a Z axis without imposing an overlaod force on the robot arm.

Robot tool changer and overload device

The present invention provides a clutch connected between a robot or like and an attached end of arm tooling device (EOAT). The clutch includes two plates having a fixed relationship with one another. Excessive loading on the EOAT beyond predetermined amounts causes the plates to separate from one another. Any deformation in the fixed position of the plates with respect to one another will cause an instantaneous diminishing of a load transmitted between the two plates.

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Swartz Creek, MI, United States of America

Frank J Kudwa