US 8,747,288 B2 · Power control of a robotic tool changer

Abstract

A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A robotic tool changer system configured to removably attach a robotic tool to a robotic arm, comprising:

a first tool module adapted to be connected to the robotic tool;
a first master module adapted to be connected to the robotic arm, and to selectively couple to and uncouple from the first tool module;
a first master electrical signal module affixed to the first master module and a first tool electrical signal module affixed to the first tool module, both adapted to be powered by application of the same one or more power supplies;
and
a first power switch circuit configured to selectively suppress application of the one or more power supplies to the first tool electrical signal module, while maintaining application of the one or more power supplies to the first master electrical signal module, during the coupling or uncoupling of the first master module and the first tool module.

2 more elements

A robotic tool changer system configured to removably attach a robotic tool to a first powered endpoint, comprising:

a first tool module adapted to be connected to the robotic tool;
a first master module adapted to be connected to the powered endpoint, and to selectively couple to and uncouple from the first tool module;
a first master electrical signal module affixed to the first master module and a first tool electrical signal module affixed to the first tool module, both adapted to be powered by application of the same one or more power supplies;
and
a first power switch circuit configured to selectively suppress application of the one or more power supplies to the first tool electrical signal module, while maintaining application of the one or more power supplies to the first master electrical signal module, during the coupling or uncoupling of the first master module and the first tool module.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power control of a robotic tool changer

Life of this patent

Power control of a robotic tool changer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17