Automatic detection of robot type
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJeffery R. Ihde, Anthony J. Kowaleski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for welding with a robotic welder is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a controller and a robotic interface. The controller includes, in a single housing, a robot-type detector and at least one power control output connected to the power supply. The robot-type detector is connected to the robot interface. An adaptor cord connects the robot controller to the power supply. The controller also has an automatic set-up control connected to the power control output.
Claims41
A welding system for use with a robotic welder comprising:
- a power supply having at least one control input;
- a robot interface;
- and
- a controller, in a single housing, including,
- a robot-type detector, connected to the robot interface, and
- at least one power control output connected to the at least one control input.
A welding system for use with a robotic welder comprising:
- power means for providing welding power;
- interface means for interfacing with a robot;
- power control means for controlling the power means, the control means being connected to the power means;
- and
- detector means for detecting the robot type, the detector means being connected to the interface means and the control means;
- wherein the detector means and the power control means are in a single housing.
A method of welding with a robotic welder comprising:
- providing welding power;
- interfacing with a robot;
- controlling the welding power;
- and
- detecting the robot type from interfacing.
A method of connecting a welding system to a robotic welder comprising:
- selecting an adaptor cord for the robot type;
- connecting a first end of the cord to the welding system;
- connecting a second end of the cord to the robot;
- and
- detecting the robot type from connection made.
An adaptor cord for connecting a welding system and a robotic welder comprising:
- a first end having a first part of a mated connection,
- wherein the first part of the mated connection has a plurality of connectors, and
- wherein the arrangement of the connector indicate the robot type;
- and
- a second end capable of mating with a connector on the robot.
An adaptor cord for connecting a welding system and a robotic welder comprising:
- a first end having a first part of a mated connection,
- wherein the first part of the mated connection has a plurality of connectors, and
- wherein the signals provided on the plurality of connectors indicate the robot type;
- and
- a second end capable of mating with a connector on the robot.
A welding system for use with a robotic welder comprising:
- a power supply having at least one control input;
- a controller, including
- at least one power control output connected to the at least one control input, and
- an automatic set-up control connected to the power control output;
- a robot interface, wherein the automatic set-up control has a set-up parameter input connected to the robot interface;
- and
- a robot-type detector, connected to the robot interface.
A welding system for use with a robotic welder comprising:
- power supply means for providing welding power;
- power control means for controlling the power supply means, connected to the power supply means;
- set-up means for automatically setting-up the system, connected to the power control means;
- means for interfacing with and receiving set-up parameters from a robot, connected to the set-up means;
- and
- means for detecting a robot type, connected to the interface means.
A method of welding with a robotic welder comprising:
- providing welding power;
- controlling the power provided;
- automatically setting-up the system;
- interfacing with a robot:
- and
- receiving set-up parameters from the robot detecting a robot type.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.