Robot Tool Interface With Integrated PCB Contacts for Compact Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool interfaces for robots are bulky due to the need for internal cabling and separate printed circuit boards for data transmission, which complicates assembly and increases the size of the subassemblies.
Innovation Solution
A tool interface design with a dual-function printed circuit board that serves as both a carrier for contact surfaces and houses electronic components, eliminating the need for internal cabling and allowing compact subassembly construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate printed circuit boards and internal cabling are used for data transmission, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the size and assembly complexity of subassemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the printed circuit board and contact surfaces into a single integrated unit. The contact surfaces are directly mounted on the printed circuit board, eliminating the need for separate connection components and internal cabling. This merging reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable electrical connections for data transmission.
2Loss of information
If internal cabling and separate printed circuit boards are used, then data transmission functionality is ensured, but the volume of subassemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuit board serves dual functions: as the structural carrier for contact surfaces and as the electronic circuit carrier. This integration eliminates the need for separate internal cabling and reduces the overall volume required for housing both the circuit board and connection interfaces within the subassembly.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for data transmission, then functional reliability is improved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surfaces are directly mounted on the printed circuit board, creating an integrated connection interface. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for mounting contact surfaces and routing internal cables, significantly simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the integrated design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool interface (10) is proposed for coupling a tool (200) to the robot arm (110) of a robot (100). This tool interface (10) has a sub-device (20) on the robot arm side and a sub-device (50) on the tool side. The two sub-devices (20, 50) have a coupling device (80) for mechanically coupling the tool (200) to the robot arm (110). The two sub-devices (20, 50) are further designed to transmit data between the side of the tool (200) and the side of the robot (100). For this purpose, both sub-devices (20, 50) have contact surfaces (30, 60) which come into contact with one another when the tool (200) is mechanically coupled to the robot (100).It is provided that at least one of the sub-devices (20, 50) has a printed circuit board (22, 52) which performs a dual function in that the printed circuit board (22, 52) is the carrier of the contact surfaces (30, 60) of the sub-device (20, 50), and the printed circuit board (22, 52) is also the carrier of at least one integrated circuit (70, 72, 74) and/or the carrier of at least one sensor (76), wherein the integrated circuit (70, 72, 74) or the sensor (76) is connected to contact surfaces (60) of the sub-device (50).