Manual Robotic Tool Changer with Opposed Decoupling and Safety Latch Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual robotic tool changers face safety hazards due to safety latches that can be accidentally actuated by forces applied in the same direction as the decoupling force, leading to unintended tool disengagement and potential drops.
Innovation Solution
A manual robotic tool changer design where the safety latch is actuated by a force in a substantially opposite direction to the opening force required to move the lever from the closed to the open position, ensuring that accidental activation of the safety latch and lever opening are impossible with a single force, and allowing both actions to be performed with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the safety latch is actuated by a force in the same direction as the decoupling force, then the operation is simple and straightforward, but the safety latch can be accidentally actuated leading to unintended tool disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The safety latch is actuated by applying force in the opposite direction to the lever opening force. Specifically, the latch actuation surface is positioned such that force must be applied toward the lever body to actuate the latch, while the lever opening force is applied away from the lever body. This inversion of the actuation direction prevents accidental latch activation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch actuation surface is oriented at an angle relative to the lever opening force direction, creating a dimensional separation between the two force vectors. The latch actuation surface normal is positioned at approximately 90 degrees to the lever opening force direction, ensuring that forces applied to open the lever do not have sufficient component to actuate the latch.
2Device complexity
If the safety latch and lever opening can be actuated by forces in the same direction, then the mechanism is simpler, but accidental decoupling and tool drops become possible
Solution Approach 1:
The safety latch actuation force direction is inverted relative to the lever opening force direction. The latch actuation surface is positioned to require force application toward the lever body, while the lever opening requires force away from the lever body. This inversion creates a fundamental directional distinction that prevents accidental decoupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of requiring additional force direction control is converted into a benefit by using the opposite direction force requirement as the safety mechanism itself. The need for distinct force directions, which initially complicates the operation, becomes the primary safety feature that prevents accidental tool disengagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A manual robotic tool changer includes a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is activated by moving a lever between open (decoupled) and closed (coupled) positions. When the lever reaches the closed position, a safety latch automatically engages and prevents the lever from moving towards the open position. To open the lever, the safety latch is first activated to disengage, then the lever is moved to the open position. To virtually eliminate the possibility of both the safety latch being accidentally actuated, and the lever being accidentally moved towards the open position, these actions require the application of forces in substantially opposite directions. Accordingly, it is impossible that a single force, inadvertently applied to any part of the tool changer, could both actuate the safety latch and open the lever. In some embodiments, actuation of the safety latch and opening the lever are both easily performed with one hand.