Apparatus, systems, and methods for reconfigurable robotic manipulator and coupling
AssigneeTRACLabs, Inc.
InventorsRobert Raven BURRIDGE, Mars Wei CHU, Bryn Tyler WOLFE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A robotic manipulator arm is disclosed. The arm includes joints that are attachable and detachable in a tool-free manner via a universal mating adapter. The universal mating adapter includes a built-in electrical interface for an operative electrical connection upon mechanical coupling of the adapter portions. The universal mating adapter includes mechanisms and the ability to store and communicate parameter configurations such that the joints can be rearranged for immediate operation of the arm without further reprogramming, recompiling, or other software intervention.
Claims20
A reconfigurable robotic manipulator arm comprising:
- a first joint including:
- a first end assembly having a mechanical coupling interface and an electrical interface;
- and
- a second end assembly having a mechanical coupling interface and an electrical interface;
- a second joint including:
- a third end assembly having a mechanical coupling interface and an electrical interface;
- and
- a fourth end assembly having a mechanical coupling interface and an electrical interface;
- wherein the first and fourth end assemblies are connectable at the first and fourth mechanical coupling interfaces to form a first adapter between the first and second joints including an operative electrical connection between the first and fourth electrical interfaces;
- and
- wherein the first and second joints are detachable at the first adapter and re-connectable at the second and third mechanical coupling interfaces to form a second adapter between the first and second joints including an operative electrical connection between the second and third electrical interfaces.
A joint for a robotic manipulator arm, the joint comprising:
- a base section;
- a rotatable section;
- a motor configured to rotate the rotatable section or the base section with respect to the other section;
- a brake;
- and
- a magnetic brake release switch configured to be activated by a removable external magnet and when activated to release the joint to move freely;
- wherein a ferrous metal member may augment the performance of the magnetic brake release switch.
An adapter for connecting different portions of a robotic system comprising:
- a first assembly including a mechanical coupling interface and an electrical interface;
- and
- a second assembly including a mechanical coupling interface and an electrical interface;
- wherein the first assembly is connectable to a first portion of the robotic system;
- wherein the second assembly is connectable to a second portion of the robotic system;
- wherein the mechanical interfaces are connectable in a tool-free manner whereby the electrical interfaces are brought into contact to form an operative electrical connection in the adapter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.