A multi-contact robotic joint electrical connector

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of multi-contact point robot joint electric connector, including first connection component and second connection component relatively rotatable, at least one set of elastic contact piece is equipped between two, the outer periphery profile of this elastic contact piece is wavy and forms multiple arc convex parts, at least one set of annular conductive sheet that slides electric contact with elastic contact piece is respectively equipped on first, second connection component.The utility model is through the multi-contact point sliding contact between wavy elastic contact piece and annular conductive sheet, completely replaces traditional cable, so that joint can realize infinite angle rotation, fundamentally avoids cable bending fatigue, simultaneously, the contact design of annular symmetry makes that connector does not need circumferential alignment when axial docking, realizes blind insertion function, simplifies robot automatic current replacement process, with the advantages of reliable contact, long life, high integration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electrical connector technology, and in particular relates to a multi-contact robot joint electrical connector. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of humanoid robot technology, the electrical connections and charging reliability of robot joints have become a key bottleneck restricting the overall performance of the robot. Existing technologies mainly suffer from the following shortcomings:

[0003] First, the joint wiring harness lacks durability. In typical working scenarios, humanoid robot joints need to withstand more than 10,000 dynamic bending movements per day, and the joint wiring harness needs to bend back and forth with the joint movements. Currently widely used traditional wires generally exhibit problems such as a sharp increase in conductor breakage rate and insulation layer cracking after about 150,000 bending cycles, which seriously affects the robot's operational reliability and service life.

[0004] Secondly, it cannot achieve infinite-angle rotation. Current robotic articulated arm wiring harnesses have a structure where the harness passes through a through-hole in the middle of one joint motor and connects to another. During joint movement, the harness bends back and forth with the joint. This structure not only significantly reduces the lifespan of the wiring harness but also cannot support infinite-angle rotation. Infinite-angle rotation would cause the cable to break, severely limiting the robot's joint freedom of movement.

[0005] Third, recognizing the orientation of the charging interface is complex. In scenarios involving automated battery swapping or charging of robots, existing connectors typically require precise orientation alignment. The robot needs to rely on visual sensors to identify the insertion direction, which increases the complexity and cost of the system, as well as the risk of connector damage due to misinsertion.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of electrical connector that can solve the above-mentioned technical problems in order to meet the requirements of high reliability, high degree of freedom and intelligent charging for humanoid robot joint movement. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-contact point robot joint electrical connector to solve the technical problems in the prior art, such as easy breakage of joint wiring harnesses, need for direction recognition during charging, and inability to achieve infinite angle rotation.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] A multi-contact robot joint electrical connector includes a first connecting component and a second connecting component that rotate relative to each other. At least one set of elastic contacts is installed between the first connecting component and the second connecting component. The outer periphery of the elastic contacts has a wavy structure with alternating peaks and troughs, and multiple arc-shaped protrusions are formed at the peaks. At least one set of conductive sheets electrically connected to the elastic contacts is installed on the first connecting component and the second connecting component, respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, the wave-shaped structure is a periodic wave-shaped structure, with equal spacing between adjacent wave crests.

[0011] Furthermore, both the first connecting component and the second connecting component include a connecting seat for mounting conductive sheets. The conductive sheets are symmetrically mounted on the upper and lower ends of each connecting seat, and a plurality of conductive posts for electrically connecting the upper and lower conductive sheets are installed between the upper and lower conductive sheets.

[0012] Furthermore, the upper and lower ends of the connector are respectively provided with receiving grooves for embedding conductive sheets, and a plurality of connecting holes for embedding conductive posts are provided between the upper and lower receiving grooves.

[0013] Furthermore, both the elastic contact and the conductive sheet are configured as rings.

[0014] Furthermore, the second connecting assembly also includes a retaining shell for covering its connecting base, the elastic contact being mounted on the retaining shell and having its bottom electrically connected to a conductive sheet on the second connecting assembly.

[0015] Furthermore, the fixed shell has multiple arc-shaped grooves along its circumference, and multiple arc-shaped protrusions on the elastic contact piece protrude outward from the arc-shaped grooves.

[0016] Furthermore, multiple sets of elastic contact pieces of different diameters are installed between the first connecting component and the second connecting component, and conductive pieces of different diameters are respectively installed at the upper and lower ends of each connecting seat.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this technology are:

[0018] 1. By setting up a first and second connecting component that can rotate relative to each other, and a wave-shaped elastic contact piece and an annular conductive piece that can slide between them, the traditional cable that needs to be bent is completely replaced. When the joint moves, the two connecting components rotate relative to each other, while the elastic contact piece and the conductive pieces on both sides always maintain electrical contact, thereby fundamentally eliminating the fatigue fracture problem caused by repeated bending of the cable and realizing the infinite angle forward and reverse rotation of the joint.

[0019] 2. Since both the elastic contact and the conductive sheet that mate with it are annular, the first connecting component and the second connecting component do not need to be aligned at a specific circumferential angle when they are axially connected; current or signals can be transmitted through the contact between the elastic contact and the conductive sheet at any angular position, realizing true blind insertion function, simplifying the robot's automatic battery swapping process, and reducing system cost and failure rate.

[0020] 3. The design of the wave-shaped elastic contact piece allows a single contact piece to form multiple independent elastic contact points in the axial direction. This multi-contact point design ensures stable contact resistance and continuous and reliable current transmission under harsh working conditions such as vibration and shaking. At the same time, the self-recovery characteristics of the elastic material and the sliding contact method make its mechanical life far exceed that of traditional bending cables, and it can withstand millions of rotation cycles. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings described below are merely some embodiments. Those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the multi-contact point robot joint electrical connector of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the second connecting component in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the multi-contact point robot joint electrical connector of this utility model during connection;

[0025] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the first connecting component in this utility model.

[0026] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0027] 1. First connecting component; 2. Second connecting component; 23. Fixing shell; 231. Arc groove; 3. Elastic contact piece; 31. Arc protrusion; 4. Connecting seat; 41. Receiving groove; 42. Connecting hole; 5. Conductive sheet; 6. Conductive post. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this utility model embodiment provides a multi-contact robot joint electrical connector, mainly used at the rotary joints of a robot to realize electrical connection between two relatively rotating robotic arms. Its core includes a first connecting component 1 and a second connecting component 2 that can rotate relative to each other, and at least one set of elastic contact pieces 3 located between the two. In this embodiment, the first connecting component 1 serves as a plug end connected to the rotor, and the second connecting component 2 serves as a socket end connected to the stator.

[0030] The elastic contact 3 is made of a material with good elasticity and conductivity, such as beryllium bronze, and is an overall annular thin sheet. Its outer periphery has a wavy structure with alternating peaks and troughs, and multiple arc-shaped protrusions 31 are formed at the peaks. Specifically, these are formed by alternating and smoothly connecting multiple outward-convex curved segments and multiple inward-concave curved segments, thus creating multiple petal-like arc-shaped protrusions 31 on the circumference. In this embodiment, the wavy structure is a periodic wavy structure with equal spacing between adjacent peaks. Alternatively, the wavy structure of the elastic contact 3 can also be a non-periodic wavy structure with unequal spacing between adjacent peaks. This structure allows the elastic contact 3 to have multiple independent, elastically expandable contact points in the axial direction, enabling it to elastically deform under radial compression, thereby providing stable contact pressure.

[0031] The first connecting component 1 and the second connecting component 2 have similar structures, both including a connecting base 4. Specifically, the connecting base 4 is made of a printed circuit board. Annular conductive sheets 5 are symmetrically embedded on the upper and lower end faces of the connecting base 4 to ensure electrical connection is maintained at any angle of relative rotation. A reliable electrical connection is achieved between the upper and lower conductive sheets 5 through multiple circumferentially distributed conductive posts 6. This structure allows current to be guided from the conductive sheet 5 at one end of the connecting base 4 to the conductive sheet 5 at the other end. For ease of installation and positioning, annular receiving grooves 41 are provided on the upper and lower end faces of the connecting base 4 for precisely embedding and fixing the conductive sheets 5. Multiple connecting holes 42 are formed between the upper and lower receiving grooves 41 for installing the conductive posts 6. The conductive posts 6 are tightly inserted into the connecting holes 42, with their two ends abutting against the upper and lower conductive sheets 5 respectively, forming a reliable electrical path.

[0032] In this embodiment, the second connecting assembly 2 further includes an external fixing shell 23, which covers and protects the internal connecting seat 4. The elastic contact 3 is mounted on the upper end of the fixing shell 23, and the lower end of the elastic contact 3 is in fixed electrical contact with the conductive sheet 5 on the upper end of the connecting seat 4 embedded in the fixing shell 23. The upper end surface of the fixing shell 23 has a plurality of arc-shaped grooves 231 along the circumference, which are the same number as the protrusions of the elastic contact 3. After assembly, the outwardly protruding curved sections on the elastic contact 3, i.e., the arc-shaped protrusions 31, protrude outward from these arc-shaped grooves 231.

[0033] When the first connecting component 1 and the second connecting component 2 are axially aligned, the conductive sheet 5 on the first connecting component 1 presses against the arc-shaped protrusion 31 of the elastic contact 3 protruding from the arc-shaped groove 231 of the fixing shell 23 of the second connecting component 2, causing it to elastically deform. This forms a tight and stable sliding electrical contact between the conductive sheet 5 and the elastic contact 3 of the first connecting component 1, while the other end of the elastic contact 3 maintains a fixed electrical contact with the conductive sheet 5 of the second connecting component 2 itself. Thus, current or signals can be transmitted from the conductive sheet 5 of the first connecting component 1, through the elastic contact 3, to the conductive sheet 5 of the second connecting component 2, completing the transmission across the rotating interface.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, multiple sets of elastic contact pieces 3 with different diameters can be installed between the first connecting component 1 and the second connecting component 2. Correspondingly, annular conductive pieces 5 of different diameters are also installed at the upper and lower ends of each connecting base 4, thereby forming multiple sets of concentric independent circuit channels. This multi-channel coaxial design can be used to transmit power supply, sensor signals, communication buses, grounding, etc., achieving a high degree of integration. Due to its annular symmetry, each channel can remain conductive regardless of the relative circumferential angle of the first connecting component 1 and the second connecting component 2, perfectly realizing the blind insertion function.

[0035] During operation, when the robot joint drives the first connecting component 1 and the second connecting component 2 to rotate relative to each other, the conductive sheet 5 of the first connecting component 1 and the elastic contact sheet 3 slide relative to each other, while the conductive sheet 5 of the second connecting component 2 and the elastic contact sheet 3 maintain fixed contact. However, since the contact is a multi-point elastic contact along the entire annular surface, the electrical connection is always maintained, and no cables need to be bent, thus achieving truly infinite angle rotation and extremely long lifespan.

[0036] Specifically, when the electrical connector is applied to a robot joint, the first connecting component 1 is fixedly connected to the robot's upper arm, and the second connecting component 2 is fixedly connected to the robot's lower arm. When the two components rotate relative to each other, the elastic contact 3 maintains radial elasticity within the arcuate groove 231 of the fixed housing 23, and the multiple arcuate protrusions 31 on its wavy contour always maintain sliding contact with the conductive sheet 5 of the first connecting component 1. Due to the use of a ring-shaped coaxial structure, the rotation angle is unrestricted, enabling 360° infinite cyclic rotation.

[0037] When applied to charging scenarios, the charging connector mates with the robot's charging interface, and multiple sets of concentrically arranged elastic contact pieces 3 form multi-channel contact with the corresponding conductive pieces 5. Since each set of contact pieces has a concentric ring structure, there is no need to align it at a specific angle during insertion; reliable electrical connection can be achieved by inserting it in any direction, realizing a true blind-plug function.

[0038] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the implementation of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-contact robot joint electrical connector, characterized in that, The device includes a first connecting component and a second connecting component that rotate relative to each other. At least one set of elastic contact pieces is installed between the first connecting component and the second connecting component. The outer periphery of the elastic contact piece has a wavy structure with alternating peaks and troughs, and multiple arc-shaped protrusions are formed at the peaks. At least one set of conductive pieces electrically connected to the elastic contact pieces are respectively installed on the first connecting component and the second connecting component.

2. The multi-contact robot joint electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wave-shaped structure is a periodic wave-shaped structure, with equal spacing between adjacent wave crests.

3. The multi-contact robot joint electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first connecting component and the second connecting component include a connecting seat for mounting conductive sheets. The conductive sheets are symmetrically mounted on the upper and lower ends of each connecting seat, and a plurality of conductive posts for electrically connecting the upper and lower conductive sheets are installed between the upper and lower conductive sheets.

4. The multi-contact robot joint electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper and lower ends of the connector are respectively provided with receiving grooves for embedding conductive sheets, and multiple connecting holes for embedding conductive posts are provided between the upper and lower receiving grooves.

5. The multi-contact robot joint electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the elastic contact and the conductive sheet are configured as rings.

6. The multi-contact robot joint electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second connecting assembly also includes a retaining shell for covering its connecting base, the elastic contact being mounted on the retaining shell and having its bottom electrically connected to a conductive sheet on the second connecting assembly.

7. The multi-contact robot joint electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixed shell has multiple arc-shaped grooves along its circumference, and multiple arc-shaped protrusions on the elastic contact plate protrude outward from the arc-shaped grooves.

8. The multi-contact robot joint electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, Multiple sets of elastic contact pieces of different diameters are installed between the first connecting component and the second connecting component, and conductive pieces of different diameters are respectively installed at the upper and lower ends of each connecting seat.

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