Tool attachment and release device for robotic arms
US5993365A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T483/1809
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tool attachment and release system for robotic arms which using a magnet for supplying the attractive force to hold the tool to the robotic arm while allowing separation of tools from the robotic arm without manual intervention. A series of tools are held at predetermined locations in a tool rack allowing the robot to automatically deposit therein or acquire therefrom a particular tool. Permanent magnets are mounted between steel inserts in the tool attachment block. The steel insert are used to direct and concentrate magnetic flux to the tool attachment surface and also to each of two shunt bar contact surfaces. During the attach and disconnect operations, magnetic flux shunt bars are placed in close proximity to the two shunt bar contact surfaces to thereby provide an alternative path for the magnetic flux. This greatly reduces but does not eliminate the attractive force between the tool adapter plate and the attachment block. This results in a relatively easy disconnect of a particular tool with its associated adapter plate thus allowing a simple, inexpensive, low force capability device to be used for controlling the disconnect process. However, there will remain enough resid…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.