A connector assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly comprising: a first part (1) releasably attached to a second part (2); wherein the first part comprises a first body; wherein the first body comprises a receiving chamber having an opening (12) where a part of the second part can pass through; wherein a pin (3) is positioned within the receiving chamber and rotatable between a lock position and an unlock position around a rotational axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; wherein the second part comprises a second body and a cut-out positioned in a wall of the second body; wherein the cut-out comprises a receiving section (22) configured to receive the pin; wherein the receiving section comprises a generally circular cross-section when observed along a transverse axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; and wherein when the pin is received in the receiving section, the rotational axis and the transverse axis are offset.

Description

[0001] A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a connector assembly, and especially to a connector assembly comprising a pin and a cut-out being having offset axes.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Connector assemblies are commonly used in many different fields to connect two components, especially in manufacturing field / production line. Connector assemblies are commonly used to connected tools. There is a demand to make the connector assemblies easier to release and lock, by simplifying steps of lock and release the connector assemblies such that the production process can be more efficient. Furthermore, the connector assemblies with simpler steps of lock and release the connector assemblies also have more potential to fit in the automation system, as such steps can be performed in a robotic process automation, for example.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The invention is defined by the appended claims, to which reference should now be made.

[0008] There is hence provided connector assembly comprising: a first part releasably attached to a second part. The first part comprises a first body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; wherein the first body comprises a receiving chamber having an opening where a part of the second part can pass through; wherein the opening is at the second end of the first body; wherein the opening is open in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A pin is positioned within the receiving chamber and rotatable between a lock position and an unlock position around a rotational axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The second part comprises a second body and a cut-out positioned in a wall of the second body; wherein the cut-out comprises a receiving section configured to receive the pin and an entry section where the pin can pass through. When the pin is received in the receiving section, at least a part of the pin is in contact with the wall of the second body in the receiving section. The receiving section comprises a generally circular cross-section when observes along a transverse axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. When the pin is received in the receiving section, the rotational axis and the transverse axis are offset such that when the pin is rotated from the unlock position to the lock position, the first part is attached to the second part via a press-fit generated between the pin and the wall of the second body.

[0009] The first part is configured to be attached to a first tool and the second part is configured to be attached to a second tool such that when the first part is connected to the second part, the first tool is attached to the second tool.

[0010] The connector assembly can be quickly and easily locked and unlocked by rotating the pin from the lock position to the unlock position. Furthermore, the first part and the second part can be quickly and easily connected by lined up in along the longitudinal axis and an axial movement towards one another or away from one another. As a result, the connection between different tools can be changed quickly and easily.

[0011] Furthermore, the eccentrical alignment between the pin and the receiving section of the cut-out of the second body of the second part creates the press-fit between the pin and the wall of the second body when the pin is rotated relative to the receiving section. No extra fitting structure, e.g., a form-fitting structure, is needed to be provided between the first body and the second body. As a result, the cost of the connector assembly can be reduced.

[0012] Furthermore, the force magnitude of the press-fit is increased when the pin is further rotated relative to the receiving section. As a result, the lock position can be varied depends on the demand. For example, when the connector assembly is used to connect two small and light tools, the lock position can be defined as a position where the pin is rotated around the rotational axis with 50 degrees of rotation angle; when the connector assembly is used to connect two heavy tools, the lock position can be defined as a position where the pin is rotated around the rotational axis with 100 degrees of rotation angle.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first body has a height measured along the longitudinal axis and a width measured along the axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the height is greater than the width. According to one embodiment, the second body has a height measured along the longitudinal axis and a width measured along the axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the height is greater than the width.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the second body of the second part extends from a first end to a second end in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and wherein the first end of the second body is configured to be moved through the opening of the first body of the first part.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the cut-out is positioned between the first end and the second end.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first body has a first height measured along the longitudinal axis from a center of the pin to the second end of the first body; wherein the second body has a second height measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis from a center of the receiving section of the cutout to the second end of the second body; and wherein the first height is shorter than the second height.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first body comprises a second opening facing in the direction of the rotational axis; wherein the second opening is connected to receiving chamber; wherein the pin comprises a shaft section extending into the receiving chamber via the second opening.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the shaft section is in generally half-cylindrical shape.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a user-accessible handle attached to the pin such that the pin can be manually rotated via the handle.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the handle is attached to the pin via a hinge such that the handle is pivotal around the hinge between a first position and a second position.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the handle comprises a hook section configured to be in contact with the first body when the handle is in the first position and configured to be spaced apart from the first body when the handle is in the second position.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the safety lock attached to the handle. According to one embodiment, the contact between the pin and the wall of the second body formed a cam interface such that when the pin is rotated between the lock position and the unlock position, the second body is moved along the longitudinal axis by the pin via the cam interface.

[0023] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, etc.” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector assembly of the disclosure;

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first part of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 ;

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a pin of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 ;

[0029] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second part of the connector assembly of Fig. 1;

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a handle of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 with the pin of Fig. 3;

[0031] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 5 with the pin of Fig. 3 and the first part of Fig. 2;

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a safety lock of the connector assembly of Fig. 1 , and handle of Fig. 5 and the first part of Fig. 2;

[0033] Figs 8-9 show perspective views of the first part of Fig. 2 with the pin of Fig. 3; and

[0034] Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the second part of the connector assembly of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figs 1-10 illustrate a connector assembly. The connector assembly is configured to releasably connect two tools. The connector assembly can be used in a production line, e.g., an automation-based production line. Preferably, the connector assembly can be used to releasably connect two different tools, e.g., connect a grabber to a robot. In one example, the first part of the connector assembly is attached to assembling machine (as a first tool), and the second part of the connector assembly is attached to a grabber (as a second tool). In this example, the assembling machine can be used with different grabbers. For example, the more than one second parts can be provided. More than one second parts are attached to different grabbers respectively. Thus, different grabbers can be selectively attached to the assembling machine depending on the demand of the assembling process.

[0036] The connector assembly comprises the first part releasably 1 attached to the second part 2. The first part 1 is configured to be attached to a first tool and the second part is configured to be attached to a second tool such that when the first part 1 is connected to the second part 2, the first tool is attached to the second tool. The first part comprises a first body 10 extending along a longitudinal axis L between a first end and a second end. The first body 10 comprises a receiving chamber 15 having an opening 12 where a part of the second part 2 can pass through. The opening 12 is at the second end of the first body 10. The opening is open in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. A pin 3 is positioned within the receiving chamber 15 and rotatable between a lock position and an unlock position around a rotational axis C1 transverse to the longitudinal axis L, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0037] The second part 2 comprises a second body 20 and a cut-out positioned in a wall of the second body 20. The cut-out comprises a receiving section 22 configured to receive the pin 3 and an entry section 23 where the pin 3 can pass through. When pin 3 is received in the receiving section 22, at least a part of the pin 3 is in contact with the wall of the second body in the receiving section 22, e.g., an edge of the receiving section. Preferably, the part of the pin 3 is snugly received in the receiving section.

[0038] The receiving section 22 comprises a generally circular cross-section when observes along a transverse axis C2 transverse to the longitudinal axis L, as shown in Fig. 8. When the pin 3 is received in the receiving section 22, the rotational axis C1 and the transverse axis C2 are offset such that when the pin 3 is rotated from the unlock position to the lock position, the first part 1 is attached to the second part 2 via a press-fit generated between the pin 3 and the wall of the second body 20.

[0039] In a preferred example, the first body 10 comprises a second opening 13 facing in the direction of the rotational axis C1 , as shown in Fig. 2. The second opening 13 is connected to receiving chamber 15. The pin 3 comprises a shaft section 31, as shown in Fig. 3, extending into the receiving chamber 15 via the second opening 13. Preferably, the shaft section 31 is in generally half-cylindrical shape, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0040] In another preferred example, the first body 10 has a height measured along the longitudinal axis L and a width measured along the axis transverse to the longitudinal axis L. The height is greater than the width. Furthermore, in another preferred example, the second body 20 has a height measured along the longitudinal axis L and a width measured along the axis transverse to the longitudinal axis L. The height is greater than the width.

[0041] Furthermore, in a preferred example, the second body 20 of the second part 2 extends from a first end to a second end in the direction of the longitudinal axis L The first end of the second body 20 is configured to be moved through the opening 12 of the first body 10 of the first part 1. The cut-out is positioned between the first end and the second end.

[0042] The first body 10 has a first height D1 measured along the longitudinal axis L from a center of the pin 3 to the second end of the first body 10, as shown in Fig. 9. The second body 20 has a second height D2 measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis L from a center of the receiving section 22 of the cut-out to the second end of the second body 20. In this example, the first height D1 is shorter than the second height D2. As a result, when the pin 3 is rotated relative to the receiving section 22, the second part 2 is pull in the direction toward the first end of the first part 1 by the pin 3.

[0043] In one example, the first body 10 comprises a connecting section 11 configured to be attached to a tool. The connecting section 11 of the first part can be connected to the tool via a thread connection, a bayonet connection, a snap-fit connection, a press-fit connection, and / or any other suitable connection. Similarly, the second part 2 comprises a connecting section 21 configured to be attached to a tool. The connecting section 21 of the second part can be connected to the tool via a thread connection, a bayonet connection, a snap-fit connection, a press-fit connection, and / or any other suitable connection.

[0044] In another preferred example, as shown in Fig. 5, the connector assembly comprises a user-accessible handle 4 attached to the pin 3 such that the pin 3 can be manually rotated via the handle 4. Preferably, the handle 4 is attached to the pin

[0045] 3 via a hinge 6 such that the handle 4 is pivotal around the hinge 6 between a first position and a second position. In one example, a through-hole 41 is arranged in a wall of the handle 4, as shown in Fig. 7; a through-hole 32 is arranged in a wall of the pin 3, as shown in Fig. 3, a hinge pin 6 is positioned through the through-hole 41 of the handle and the through-hole 32 of the pin 3, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0046] In a preferred example, the handle 4 comprises a hook section 40 configured to be in contact with the first body 10 when the handle 4 is in the first position, as shown in Fig. 6, and configured to be spaced apart from the first body 10 when the handle 4 is in the second position. Preferably, the connector assembly comprises a safety lock 5 configured to lock the handle 4 to the first part 1. In one example, the safety lock 5 comprises a user-accessible end 50 and a locking end 51. In a preferred example, the safety lock 5 attached to the handle 4. In this example, an opening 42 is arranged in the wall of the handle 4, as shown in Fig. 7, and a locking opening 14 is arranged in a wall of the first body 10 of the first part 1. The safety lock 5 is configured to be positioned through the opening 42 of the handle and the locking opening 14 of the first part 1. The connection between the locking end 51 of the safety lock 5 and the first body 10 can be a thread connection, a bayonet connection, a snap-fit connection, a press-fit connection, and / or any other suitable connection.

[0047] In another preferred example, the contact between the pin and the wall of the second body formed a cam interface such that when the pin is rotated between the lock position and the unlock position, the second body is moved along the longitudinal axis by the pin via the cam interface.

[0048] The connector assembly can be used in a kit. For example, the connector assembly comprises a first part and multiple second parts, as shown in Fig. 1. In this example, the first part is attached to one tool, e.g., a robot, and the multiple second parts can be attached to multiple different tools, e.g., different grabbers, respectively. Thus, when there is a need to use different tools, an operator can release the connection between two attached tools by pivoting the handle 4, then rotating the pin 3 from the lock position to the unlock position. Another tool can be attached by positioning the pin 3 into the receiving section 22 of the cut-out of the second part, rotating the pin 3 from the unlock position to the lock position, and pivoting the handle to be in contact with the first body of the first part.

[0049] The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connector assembly comprising: a first part releasably attached to a second part; wherein the first part comprises a first body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; wherein the first body comprises a receiving chamber having an opening where a part of the second part can pass through; wherein the opening is at the second end of the first part; wherein the opening is open in the direction of the longitudinal axis; wherein a pin is positioned within the receiving chamber and rotatable between a lock position and an unlock position around a rotational axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; wherein the second part comprises a second body and a cut-out positioned in a wall of the second body; wherein the cut-out comprises a receiving section configured to receive the pin and an entry section where the pin can pass through; wherein when the pin is received in the receiving section, at least a part of the pin is in contact with the wall of the second body in the receiving section; wherein the receiving section comprises a generally circular cross-section when observes along a transverse axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; and wherein when the pin is received in the receiving section, the rotational axis and the transverse axis are offset such that when the pin is rotated from the unlock position to the lock position, the first part is attached to the second part via a press-fit generated between the pin and the wall of the second body.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second body of the second part extends from a first end to a second end in the direction of the longitudinal axis; wherein the first end of the second body is configured to be moved through the opening of the first body of the first part; and wherein the cut-out is positioned between the first end and the second end.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first body has a first height measured along the longitudinal axis from a center of the pin to the second end of the first body; wherein the second body has a second height measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis from a center of thereceiving section of the cut-out to the second end of the second body; and wherein the first height is shorter than the second height.

4. The connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first body comprises a second opening facing in the direction of the rotational axis; wherein the second opening is connected to receiving chamber; wherein the pin comprises a shaft section extending into the receiving chamber via the second opening.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the shaft section is in generally half-cylindrical shape.

6. The connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector assembly comprises a user-accessible handle attached to the pin such that the pin can be manually rotated via the handle.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the handle is attached to the pin via a hinge such that the handle is pivotal around the hinge between a first position and a second position.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the handle comprises a hook section configured to be in contact with the first body when the handle is in the first position and configured to be spaced apart from the first body when the handle is in the second position.

9. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the connector assembly comprises a safety lock configured to lock the handle to the first part.

10. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the safety lock attached to the handle.

11. The connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact between the pin and the wall of the second body formed a cam interface such that when the pin is rotated between the lock position and the unlock position, the second body is moved along the longitudinal axis by the pin via the cam interface.

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