Breakaway clutch for robot end-of-arm tooling
US4717003A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B2200/63
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides an "on the fly" adjustable clutch for use with robot end-of-arm tooling that provides a means for sensing movement of a tool attached to the clutch and can send a signal to shut down the robot when an overload is encountered. The clutch includes a piston capable of lateral movement within a chamber that is slidably mounted on a pin and a tool plate. The pin extends beyond the clutch housing, and the tool plate is pivotally mounted on the pin. Biasing means acts to bias the piston away from the tool plate such that the tool plate is held somewhat rigidly in relation to the clutch housing by the biasing means. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means includes springs and pressurized air that may be introduced into the piston chamber on either side of the piston to increase or decrease the bias of the springs. Thus, the clutch is capable of varying sensitivities with the biasing means being adjustable under program control. Also included on the clutch are locating means and proximity sensors. The locating means act to position the tool plate in a normal position in relation to the clutch housing. The proximity sensors detect movement of the tool plate in rel…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.