Patent ID: 6166506
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B23K,B25J,F16P

Abstract:
A wireless robotic collision sensor for a robotic/automatic motion device comprising:a crash sensor for sensing a crash event;a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a crash signal in response to the sensed crash event;said sensor and transmitter being mounted on a welding torch, anda radio frequency receiver for receiving said crash signal transmitted by said transmitter;said receiver electrically connected to a controller of said robotic/automatic motion device;said transmitter including a housing enclosing a transmitter circuit;said transmitter circuit comprising:a low power switch activated when the power supply of the transmitter falls below a predetermined level and upon activation of the low power switch a low power signal is produced to be transmitted to the receiver;a test receiver switch to allow the operator to test whether the receiver and transmitter are properly communicating and upon activation of the test receiver switch a test signal is produced to be transmitted to the receiver;a wire feed jog switch to activate a wire feeder to supply wire through the welding torch and upon activation of the wire feed jog switch a wire feed signal is produced to be transmitted to the receiver;an encoder for converting multiple inputs into a single output, said low power switch, test receiver switch, wire feed switch and the crash sensor are applied to the inputs of the encoder;a modulator for modulating the output signal of the encoder; anda transmitter antenna for transmitting the modulated output signal of the encoder to the receiver;whereby said controller disables said robotic/automatic motion device upon receipt of the crash signal by said receiver.