Calibration Device Plug With Positioning Aid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration devices for robot arms face difficulties in securely attaching connection cables due to the rotation of calibration sensors during assembly, making it challenging for operators to plug the cable into a connection socket that is often not visible.
Innovation Solution
A calibration device with a plug connected to a non-rotating connection cable, featuring a positioning aid with a contact surface interacting with a screwdriver blade, facilitating easy plugging even when the socket is not visible, and including a housing with recessed grips and inclined surfaces for alignment and compensation of assembly variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the calibration sensor is screwed onto the robot during assembly, then the calibration sensor is securely attached to the robot, but the connection socket becomes invisible and difficult to access, making cable connection time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting cable is pre-connected to the plug before the calibration sensor is mounted on the robot. This preliminary action allows the cable to be positioned and secured in advance, so that when the sensor is rotated during mounting, the cable connection is already established and does not require additional time-consuming adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
A plug serves as an intermediary component between the connecting cable and the connection socket. The plug is designed to be connected to the cable in a twist-proof manner and then inserted into the socket on the calibration sensor. This intermediary allows the cable to be securely attached independently of the sensor's rotational position during mounting.
2Ease of manufacture
If the connection socket is positioned on the calibration sensor, then electrical connection is enabled, but the socket is not visible to the operator during assembly, making plugging difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The plug acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the operator's need for visibility and control and the socket's position on the calibration sensor. The plug can be handled and positioned independently, allowing the operator to secure the cable connection without needing to see the socket on the rotated sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is designed with a positioning aid that automatically aligns with a complementary counter surface on the calibration sensor during insertion. This self-aligning feature enables correct plugging even when the socket is not visible, as the positioning aid provides tactile feedback and automatic orientation guidance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the calibration device is designed with a connection socket on the sensor, then electrical connection is possible, but assembly becomes time-consuming due to difficulty in securing the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting cable is pre-assembled with the plug before the calibration sensor mounting process begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to handle and secure the cable during the time-critical sensor mounting operation, thereby maintaining assembly speed while ensuring proper electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning aid on the plug provides self-aligning functionality during insertion into the connection socket. This automatic alignment mechanism speeds up the plugging process by eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments, thereby increasing assembly productivity while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a calibration device (1) with a calibration sensor (2) having a longitudinal axis (L) and an electrical connection socket (4) which is provided with a screwdriver blade (5) projecting from an end face (3) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L); with a plug (6) for insertion into the connection socket (4) which is connected to a connecting cable (7) in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein a positioning aid (8) is arranged on the plug (6) which has a contact surface (9) that interacts with a complementary counter surface (10) of the screwdriver blade (5).