Robotic Toolhead Interface With Ball-Lock Quick Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic arms face challenges in efficiently and safely changing toolheads, especially in hazardous or space-limited environments, as they require human intervention and tools, which can be dangerous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A separable robotic interface system that includes a carrier portion and a probe portion, allowing for tool-free replacement of toolheads using a radial locking mechanism and ball bearings, enabling secure locking and unlocking without human servicing, and providing power and data connections for various robotic end effectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical grippers are used to capture objects, then secure capture and movement of objects is achieved, but the system requires human intervention and tools for toolhead changes which reduces efficiency and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm performs toolhead changes autonomously using the separable robotic interface with ball bearings and locking mechanisms, eliminating the need for human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically capturing, aligning, and securing toolheads through the standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The toolhead is divided into separable components (carrier portion and probe portion) that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the robotic arm to efficiently exchange toolheads by simply connecting and disconnecting the probe portion from the carrier portion without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
2Reliability
If mechanical grippers are used with robust attachment surfaces, then positive capture of objects is achieved, but human servicing is required which introduces safety risks in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The separable robotic interface with ball bearings and locking mechanisms enables the robotic system to perform toolhead changes autonomously without human servicing. This eliminates exposure of human operators to hazardous environments while maintaining secure capture through the standardized interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized interface is implemented for robotic end effectors, then adaptability for various tools is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional locking and alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The separable robotic interface is designed as a universal standard that can accommodate various toolheads and end effectors. The standardized carrier portion and probe portion interface allows different tools to be exchanged while maintaining consistent locking and alignment mechanisms, achieving multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface is segmented into standardized carrier and probe portions with defined alignment features and locking mechanisms. This segmentation creates a modular system where complexity is distributed and managed through standardized components rather than integrated into a single complex unit.
4Strength
If ball bearings are used for secure locking, then resistance to rotational forces is improved, but the mechanism requires precise alignment which increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The interface employs asymmetric alignment features including specific groove orientations and projection shapes that guide the ball bearings into correct positions during assembly. This asymmetric design provides self-aligning characteristics that reduce the need for high-precision manufacturing while ensuring proper ball bearing placement for rotational force resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball bearings act as intermediary elements between the carrier portion and probe portion, providing both alignment guidance and load-bearing capability. The grooves and projections serve as intermediaries that guide the ball bearings into precise positions, reducing the direct alignment requirements between the main components.
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
Enables rapid and secure toolhead changes without human intervention, providing a standard interface for various tools and resisting rotational forces, thus improving efficiency and safety in robotic operations across different environments.
Implementation Method 1
compressing a spring-loaded plug in the carrier portion to release one or more ball bearings
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided. The method includes axially aligning a carrier portion of a separable robotic interface with a probe portion, the carrier portion coupled to a free end of a robotic arm, sliding the carrier portion over the probe portion in response to radially orienting a first alignment feature between the probe portion and the carrier portion, and in response compressing a spring-loaded plug in the carrier portion to release one or more ball bearings to make contact with an outer surface of the probe portion, the plug radially coupled to the carrier portion through a second alignment feature, seating the one or more ball bearings into matching recesses in the outer surface in response to sliding the carrier portion over the probe portion a predetermined distance, and rotating a locking ring of the carrier portion to axially lock the carrier portion to the probe portion.