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US 11,167,411 B2Granted
Quick-release mechanism for tool adapter plate and robots incorporating the same
AssigneeRethink Robotics, Inc.
InventorsCalvin Toothaker, Umberto Scarfogliero, Daniel Cookson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In various embodiments, a tool plate configured to receive a robotic end effector is removably matable with a robot appendage via a quick-release mechanism.
Claims27
For use with a robot system comprising a robot body, a robot arm connected to the robot body and having a distal end including a first connector, a robot controller for controlling the robot arm, and an end effector configured to connect to the robot arm, an end-effector assembly comprising:
- a tool plate comprising (i) a robot side configured to be mountable to the distal end of the robot arm, wherein the robot side is annular and accommodates the first connector therein when the robot side is mounted to the distal end of the robot arm, and (ii) a tool side configured to removably connect to the robot side, wherein the tool side comprises a second connector configured to extend into the robot side and mate with the first connector;
- incorporated in the tool plate, a quick-release mechanism configured to removably retain the tool side of the tool plate against the robot side of the tool plate;
- and
- disposed at an interface between the robot side and the distal end of the robot arm, a removable security collar configured to engage with the quick-release mechanism to prevent removal of the tool side of the tool plate from the robot side of the tool plate when the security collar is placed onto the quick-release mechanism by an operator and allow removal of the tool side of the tool plate from the robot side of the tool plate when the security collar is removed from the quick-release mechanism by the operator.
1 more element
A robot system comprising:
- a robot body;
- a robot arm connected to the robot body, the robot arm having a distal end including a first connector;
- a robot controller for controlling the robot arm and an end effector connected thereto;
- a tool plate comprising (i) a robot side configured to be mountable to the distal end of the robot arm, wherein the robot side is annular and accommodates the first connector therein when the robot side is mounted to the distal end of the robot arm, and (ii) a tool side configured to removably connect to the robot side, wherein the tool side comprises a second connector configured to extend into the robot side and mate with the first connector;
- an end effector connected to the tool side of the tool plate;
- incorporated in the tool plate, a quick-release mechanism configured to removably retain the tool side of the tool plate against the robot side of the tool plate;
- and
- disposed at an interface between the robot side and the distal end of the robot arm, a removable security collar configured to engage with the quick-release mechanism to prevent removal of the tool side of the tool plate from the robot side of the tool plate when the security collar is placed onto the quick-release mechanism by an operator and allow removal of the tool side of the tool plate from the robot side of the tool plate when the security collar is removed from the quick-release mechanism by the operator.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.