Apparatus and method for transferring secondary current across a robotic tool changer

A robotic tool changer, comprising:

• a. a master module and a tool module adapted to be coupled and decoupled;
• b. a first pair of electrical contacts associated with the master module and a second pair of electrical contacts associated with the tool module;
• c. at least one of said pair of contacts being moveable between an extended and retracted position and being biased towards the extended position;
• d. wherein when said master and tool modules assume a coupled relationship, said first and second pair of contacts are disposed adjacent to each other and wherein when said moveable pair of contacts assumes the extended position, said first and second pairs of contacts are disposed in spaced apart relationships;
• and
• e. an actuator associated with the robotic tool changer for engaging the moveable pair of contacts and moving said moveable pair of contacts to the retracted position where said moveable pair of contacts engages the other pair of contacts and establishes an electrical connection between said first and second pairs of contacts.

A system for transferring secondary current across a robotic tool changer, comprising:

• a. a master module and a tool module mateable to each other;
• b. a first pair of horizontally aligned contacts slideably mounted to the master module and laterally adjustable thereon, each said contact having a horizontal plate for establishing electrical contact and a vertical connector tab for attachment to an electrical cable;
• c. a pneumatic actuator associated with the master module and selectively moveable between a deployed and a withdrawn position;
• d. a second pair of horizontally aligned contacts, each said contact having a horizontal plate for establishing electrical contact and a vertical connector tab for attachment to an electrical cable, wherein said second pair of contacts are slideably mounted to the tool module and are both laterally adjustable thereon and moveable vertically between an extended and a retracted position;
• e. at least one spring disposed between said tool module and each of said second pair of contacts for biasing said second pair of contacts to the extended position, where said contacts are in spaced apart relation to said first pair of contacts when the master and tool modules are mated;
• and
• wherein when said actuator is moved to the deployed position, said actuator engages said second pair of contacts and moves said second pair of contacts from the extended position to the retracted position, where said second pair of contacts engages said first pair of contacts and forms an electrical connection therebetween.

A robotic tool changer, comprising:

• a. a master module and a tool module adapted to be coupled and decoupled;
• b. a first pair of electrical contacts associated with the master module and a second pair of electrical contracts associated with a tool module;
• c. each contact of each pair including a generally flat plate portion and a connector tab;
• d. at least one of said pair of contacts being movable between an extended and retracted position;
• e. at least one spring for engaging each contact of the movable pair of contacts and biasing the engaged contacts towards the extended position.
• f. wherein when said master and tool modules assume a couple relationship, said first and second pair of contacts are disposed adjacent to each other and wherein when said movable pair of contacts assume the extended position, said first and second pairs of contacts are disposed and spaced apart relationship;
• and
• g. an actuator associated with the robotic tool changer for engaging the movable pair of contacts and moving said movable pair of contacts to the retracted position where said movable pair of contacts engage the other pair of contacts and establish an electrical connection between said first and second pairs of contacts.

A robotic tool changer adapted to connect directly to a kickless cable carrying a secondary current comprising:

• a. a master module and a tool module adapted to be coupled and decoupled;
• b. a pair of contacts secured to the tool module;
• a. a pair of contacts secured to the master module, each of the master module contacts including a contact surface and a connector tab and wherein the pair of master module contacts are arranged and spaced such that the associated connector tabs cooperate to directly receive and connect to the kickless cable;
• and
• b. wherein when the tool changer assumes a coupled position one pair of the contacts at least partially overlies the other pair of contacts, and wherein one pair of contacts is moveable relative to the other pair of contacts and is biased to assume a spaced-apart relationship relative to the other pair of contacts, and wherein the tool changer is provided with an actuator for engaging the moveable pair of contacts and moving the moveable pair of contacts into engagement with the other pair of contact such that an electrical connection is established between the two pair of contacts.