Patent ID: 8533930
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: B23B,B25J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A manually actuated robotic tool changer, comprising: a first unit adapted to be connected to one of a robotic arm or a robotic tool; a second unit adapted to be connected to the other of the robotic arm or the robotic tool; a plurality of rolling members retained in one of the units; a piston mounted in one of the units, the piston moveable along its axis between unlocked and locked positions, the piston having a multi-faceted cam surface; and a piston movement control mechanism operative to selectively allow free axial movement of the piston toward the locked position by manual actuation of the piston movement control mechanism, and to allow only controlled axial movement of the piston to the locked position when the piston control mechanism is not actuated; wherein, when the piston is in the locked position, the cam surface is operative to contact the rolling members in one of the units and to urge each rolling member against a surface of the other unit to couple the two units together.