Ati Industrial Automation, Inc.

Robert D Little

Prasad Balakrishnan

James Snape

A robotic tool coupling system includes a first connecting unit including a piston movable along a longitudinal axis. The piston includes a multifaceted contact surface comprising a tapered locking surface; an initial actuating surface having an angle with respect to the axis not greater than the angle of the tapered locking surface; and a failsafe surface interposed between the tapered locking surface and the initial actuating surface. The system includes a second connecting unit having a plurality of rolling members disposed in a retention chamber including at least one angled surface operative to lock the first and second units together when the rolling members are forced against the angled surfaces by the tapered locking surface. The piston contact surface may additionally include a step surface, generally normal to the longitudinal axis, and a retention surface generally parallel to the axis.

Robot arm coupling apparatus

A multi-position electrical connector for a robotic tool changer includes a bracket mountable to a robotic tool changer master or tool module, a coupling interface in a fixed position with respect to the bracket, and a cable interface moveable to a plurality of positions with respect to the bracket. Both the coupling interface and the cable interface include a plurality of electrical contacts, which are electrically connected. In one embodiment, the cable interface is disposed at substantially 90 degrees to the coupling interface, and is rotatable about an axis of the coupling interface. The cable interface may be fixed in one of a plurality of positions around the coupling interface. In one embodiment, a selected position is fixed by mating a retention member on one of the cable interface and the bracket, with a recess on the other of the cable interface and the bracket.

Multi-position electrical connector for robotic tool changer

Disclosed are male and female electrical contacts for transferring high electrical power between a master assembly and a tool assembly of a robotic tool changer. The male and female contacts have corresponding outwardly-projecting and inwardly recessed conical or frusto-conical contact surfaces which tend to cause contaminants to slide off the surface of the contacts. The contacts may instead have corresponding outwardly-projecting and inwardly recessed contact surfaces having spherical, frusto-spherical, ellipsoid, frusto-ellipsoid, ovoid, or frusto-ovoid shapes. Each of the contacts includes a contact base for attaching the contact to one of the assemblies of the robotic tool changer and a contact tip removably attached to the contact base, thereby allowing the contact tip to be replaced without detaching the contact base from the robotic tool changer. The contact tip of either or both of the electrical contacts is mounted in such a way as to have compliance in at least one direction. The contact bases have oval or elliptical shaped though-holes for making better contact with the high power cables of the robotic tool changer. The contacts are rhodium-plated to increase their resistance to wear and contamination.

High power electrical contacts for robotic tool changer

Disclosed is an overload protection device to be placed between a robot and a tool to be used by the robot to prevent damage when the tool encounters an obstacle. The overload protection device comprises a housing, a cam, and a piston. The housing includes an internal cavity and an external opening to the cavity. The cam includes a head portion retained within the cavity and a neck portion extending through the opening. The neck portion and the opening include matching conical surfaces adapted to mate with one another. The piston is disposed within the cavity and tends to urge the cam toward a home position. When the tool is displaced in the x, y, z, or rotational directions during an overload condition, the cam is displaced from the home position. The piston then urges the cam to return to the home position regardless of the direction of displacement. A single sensor is provided to detect an overload condition.

Growing community of inventors

Apex, NC, United States of America

Robert D Little