Automatic Tool Coupler Port Layout for Tube-Free Uncoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automatic tool exchange couplers are limited by a tube arrangement that interferes with the external environment and makes off-line teaching difficult, limiting the functionality of the device.
Innovation Solution
The automatic tool exchange coupler features a coupler body with a first and second direction switching valve, where the uncoupling input port is radially offset from the uncoupling output port, allowing for direct connection of pipes to the coupling and uncoupling ports, eliminating the need for additional piping and improving user-friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tube is arranged around the automatic tool exchange device to supply gas from the robot side to the uncoupling port, then the gas flow path can be established, but the tube interferes with the external environment and makes off-line teaching difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tube from the system by providing uncoupling ports that are directly accessible on the coupler body, eliminating the need for external tubing to supply gas during uncoupling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler body acts as an intermediary by integrating both coupling and uncoupling ports directly into its structure, allowing gas supply paths to be established without external tubes
2Device complexity
If the uncoupling port is positioned in a conventional location, then the coupler structure is simplified, but the tube must be arranged around the device which limits functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the uncoupling port in a different spatial arrangement relative to the coupling port, allowing pipes to approach from different directions and eliminating the need for surrounding tubing
Solution Approach 2:
The uncoupling input port is positioned asymmetrically relative to the uncoupling output port, with the center radially offset by at least the diameter of the uncoupling input port, creating an optimized flow path configuration
3Reliability
If additional piping is used to connect the coupler ports, then gas supply can be established, but the device becomes more complex and less user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler body is designed to handle both coupling and uncoupling operations through integrated ports, allowing the same structure to serve multiple functions without additional piping
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler structure itself provides the gas supply pathways through its port configuration, eliminating the need for external tubing and making the system self-sufficient
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
This configuration enhances user-friendliness by allowing direct pipe connection to the coupler ports, reducing interference and improving the compactness of the device, thus enhancing the functionality of the automatic tool exchange device.
Implementation Method 1
a second coupling member being coupled to or uncoupled from the first coupling member by moving a cam provided to the first coupling member with a gas supplied to the coupling port or the uncoupling port
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic tool exchange coupler and an automatic tool exchange device are provided that achieve further improvement in the user-friendliness of the automatic tool exchange device. The coupler includes a coupler body, a first direction switching valve and a second direction switching valve that are provided to a first side surface of the coupler body. The coupler body has: in a first side surface, an uncoupling input port being connected to a pipe for introducing a gas for uncoupling; and in the second side surface opposite to the first side surface, an uncoupling output port being configured to connected to the uncoupling port. The uncoupling input port is located at a position where a center of the uncoupling input port is radially offset with respect to the uncoupling output port by at least an amount corresponding to a length of a diameter of the uncoupling input port.