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US 4,512,709 AGranted
Robot toolchanger system
AssigneeCincinnati Milacron Inc.
InventorsDaniel M. Hennekes, Richard A. Kolde, David E. Suica
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A robot toolchanger system is disclosed, where an adapter unit is mounted to the end effector of a robot. The housing of the adapter unit has central opening for receiving a T-shaped member which is affixed to a common toolbase, applied to a variety of tools. The crossbar of the T-shaped member is engaged by a slide movable in the housing in reversing directions to lock and unlock the tool with respect to the robot end effector.
Claims4
A robot toolchanger, comprising:
- (a) a housing, having spaced-apart front and rear plates rigidly connected to one another;
- (b) a central opening through said front plate;
- (c) a linear actuator mounted to said rear plate between said plates, and having a rod movable between extended and retracted end positions;
- (d) a linear slideway on said front plate, transverse to said central opening;
- (e) a locking slide carried in said slideway and affixed to said rod, said slide having an aperture alignable with said central opening, and further having means for engaging a tool retention member;
- (f) a toolbase having a tool retention member affixed thereto, said member insertable into said housing through said central opening and said slide aperture;
- (g) means for positioning said toolbase on said housing;
- and
- (h) means for positioning and securing said housing on a movable robot member.
6 more elements
A robot toolchanger system, comprising in combination:
- (a) a movable robot member having a movable end effector;
- (b) a housing mounted to said end effector, said housing having spaced-apart front and rear plates rigidly connected to one another;
- (c) a central opening through said front plate;
- (d) a linear actuator mounted to said rear plate, between said plates, and having a rod movable transverse to said central opening between extended and retracted positions;
- (e) a linear slideway extending through said front plate, transverse to said central opening;
- (f) a linear slide carried in said slideway and affixed to said actuator rod and movable in accordance with said actuator movement between locking and unlocking positions, said slide further having an aperture alignable with said central opening and a ramp surface adjacent said aperture for engaging a tool retention member;
- (g) a toolbase having a tool retention member affixed thereto said member insertable into said housing through said central opening and said slide aperture;
- (h) means for positioning said toolbase on said housing;
- and
- (i) means for positioning and securing said housing on said movable end effector.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.