Robot Arm Docking Cradle With Quick-Connect Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of moving and reconfiguring collaborative robot arms in manufacturing settings is time-consuming and requires specialized personnel due to the need for unplugging and replugging cables, as well as calibration and setup procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring an articulated robot arm with a docking cradle and clamping system that allows for quick and tool-free connection and disconnection, utilizing a male and female coupling configuration with a clamping mechanism to securely lock the base link to the docking cradle, enabling easy relocation and setup without additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting methods (bolting, unplugging cables) are used to relocate robot arms, then secure connection and power transfer are ensured, but the relocation process becomes time-consuming and requires specialized personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate modular components: a docking cradle with a clamping system and a base link with coupling configuration. This segmentation allows the robot arm to be quickly disconnected and reconnected without complex tools or procedures, resolving the contradiction between secure connection and fast relocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling configuration between the base link and docking cradle is pre-designed with aligned power contacts and mechanical interfaces. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the components are connected, power transfer and mechanical coupling occur automatically without requiring additional setup steps, reducing relocation time while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If specialized personnel perform calibration and setup during relocation, then proper robot arm operation is ensured, but the process complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The docking cradle and base link are designed to automatically perform alignment and connection functions when brought together. The self-aligning coupling configuration eliminates the need for manual calibration procedures, allowing standard personnel to relocate the robot arm without specialized training while ensuring proper operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual unplugging and replugging of cables is required, then power and communication connections are maintained, but the relocation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling configuration integrates power contacts and communication interfaces into a single unified connection point. When the base link is coupled to the docking cradle, all connections (power, data, mechanical) are established simultaneously through one action, eliminating the need for separate cable plugging operations and improving ease of relocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising an articulated robot arm including assembly of links interconnected with motorized joint units at joints between the links for movements of the links relative to one another, one of the links being a base link. A docking cradle is adapted to be connected to a structure and configured for being releasably connected and for supporting the articulated robot arm. A coupling configuration is between the base link and the docking cradle for powering contact to be made. A clamping system includes one or more clamp members and a clamp lever for locking the base link to the docking cradle at the coupling configuration.