Robot Tool Interface With Multi-Nozzle Blow-Off Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool interfaces for robots struggle with effectively cleaning contaminants from the investment surfaces during coupling and decoupling processes, leading to potential safety issues and reduced precision in robotic operations.
Innovation Solution
A tool interface with a bladder device featuring a majority of nozzle openings, strategically positioned to ensure comprehensive cleaning of the investment area, along with a coupling device that includes conical alignment pins and a locking mechanism for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple compressed air channels and nozzle openings are used to improve cleaning quality, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but installation effort and setup time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The blow-off device is segmented into a modular structure with a nozzle holder that can be separately assembled and installed. The nozzle holder contains multiple nozzle openings arranged in different directions, allowing the entire cleaning assembly to be installed as one unit rather than requiring individual installation of multiple air channels and nozzles, thereby reducing installation effort and setup time while maintaining comprehensive cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle holder serves multiple functions: it structures and holds multiple nozzles, directs compressed air in various directions, and provides a unified installation interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mounting structures for each nozzle and air channel, significantly simplifying the installation process while ensuring thorough cleaning of the contact surface
2Reliability
If a seal is added to protect electrical contact surfaces, then protection against contamination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is integrated into the existing nozzle holder structure, combining the sealing function with the nozzle mounting structure. The seal is positioned at the interface between the nozzle holder and the tool, creating a unified component that provides both structural support for the nozzles and contamination protection for the electrical contact surfaces, thereby avoiding additional separate sealing components and reducing overall device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures a high level of cleanliness on the investment surfaces, reducing the risk of contaminants interfering with the coupling process and enhancing the precision and reliability of robotic operations.
Implementation Method 1
a blow-off device for generating a blow-off airflow in the area of the contact surface... Compressed air is discharged through at least two, and preferably at least four, nozzle openings in various areas of the contact surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool interface (10) for coupling a tool (200) to a robot is known. The tool interface (10) has a contact surface (12) for contacting a corresponding contact surface (212) of the tool (200) and a coupling device (14) for mechanically coupling the tool (200) to the tool interface (10). A blow-off device (30) is provided to generate a blow-off airflow in the area of the contact surface (12). It is proposed that the blow-off device (30) has a plurality of nozzle openings (32) for releasing the blow-off airflow, wherein the nozzle openings (32) are supplied with compressed air from a common compressed air connection (34) of the tool interface (10).