Patent ID: 6116966
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B25J

Abstract:
A high power electrical contact pair for carrying electrical current between two halves of a robotic tool changer, comprising:a. a male electrical contact mounted on one half of the robotic tool changer, said male electrical contact having an outwardly-projecting conical or frusto-conical contact surface, wherein the angle between the outwardly-projecting conical or frusto-conical contact surface and a plane perpendicular to the axis of the male electrical contact is between about 30.degree. and about 60.degree.; andb. a female electrical contact mounted on the other half of the robotic tool changer, said female electrical contact having an inwardly-recessed conical or frusto-conical contact surface, wherein the angle between the inwardly-recessed conical or frusto-conical contact surface and a plane perpendicular to the axis of the female electrical contact is approximately the same as the angle between the outwardly-projecting conical or frusto-conical contact surface of the male electrical contact and a plane perpendicular to the axis of the male electrical contact;wherein when the two halves of the robotic tool changer are brought together, the outwardly-projecting conical or frusto-conical contact surface of the male electrical contact mates with the inwardly-recessed conical or frusto-conical contact surface of the female electrical contact, thereby allowing electrical current to flow between the male electrical contact and the female electrical contact.