Safety Coupling With Controlled Emergency Lowering for End Effectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handling systems with manipulators and end effectors pose risks in emergency situations, such as power failures, leading to uncontrolled detachment of gripped objects and potential injury to humans, and require extensive safety measures or complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A safety coupling that connects an end effector to a manipulator, featuring a securing device that switches to an emergency configuration upon predefined triggering conditions, allowing controlled descent of the end effector and its load to a stable position, using mechanisms like electromagnets, shape memory wires, or pneumatic actuators to ensure safe operation without additional external safety measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manipulator is equipped with an emergency stop function, then safety in emergency situations is improved, but the system cannot prevent uncontrolled detachment of gripped objects
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between manipulator and end effector is divided into multiple independent securing elements (e.g., multiple magnets or locking mechanisms) distributed around the coupling interface. This segmentation ensures that if one element fails, others continue to provide securing force, preventing uncontrolled detachment while maintaining emergency stop functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates energy absorption elements such as springs or dampers into the coupling mechanism that activate before complete detachment occurs. These elements cushion the release of stored energy during emergency situations, controlling the detachment process to prevent harmful uncontrolled falling of gripped objects.
2Reliability
If extensive safety measures are implemented to prevent uncontrolled detachment, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety functions into the existing coupling mechanism itself. The securing elements, energy absorption elements, and emergency release functionality are integrated into a single unified coupling device rather than adding separate safety systems, thereby preventing uncontrolled detachment without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: normal operation securing, emergency stop response, controlled release, and energy absorption. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated safety systems, achieving high reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Reliability
If a securing device with multiple securing elements is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple securing elements with different local properties optimized for their specific functions. For example, magnets are positioned at locations where they provide optimal holding force, while energy absorption elements are placed where they can effectively dissipate energy during release. This localized optimization achieves high reliability without requiring a uniformly complex design throughout the entire device.
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 safe and controlled object handling during emergencies, reducing the risk of uncontrolled falling and injury, while minimizing space requirements and avoiding the need for external safety systems, thus enhancing human-robot collaboration.
Implementation Method 1
The safety coupling (24) comprises a securing device (46), which can assume a normal configuration and an emergency configuration. In the normal configuration, the securing device (46) blocks the lowering device (32).
Implementation Method 2
using mechanisms like electromagnets, shape memory wires, or pneumatic actuators to ensure safe operation
Implementation Method 3
using mechanisms like electromagnets, shape memory wires, or pneumatic actuators to ensure safe operation
Implementation Method 4
The lowering device is designed to let the end effector coupling portion (30) and an end effector (14) optionally coupled thereto and, in particular, an object (16) optionally held on the end effector (14) descend with control, preferably with braking, i.e. at reduced speed, as a result of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A safety coupling for connecting an end effector to a manipulator, comprising a manipulator coupling portion for connecting the safety coupling to the manipulator, an end effector coupling portion for connecting the safety coupling to the end effector, a lowering device, which connects the manipulator coupling portion and the end effector coupling portion to one another in a way that the end effector coupling portion and an end effector optionally coupled to the end effector coupling portion can descend relative to the manipulator coupling portion, with control, in particular with automatic braking, as a result of gravity, and a securing device, which can assume a normal configuration and an emergency configuration, the securing device blocking the lowering device when the securing device is in the normal configuration and releasing the lowering device when the securing device is in the emergency configuration.