Patent ID: 8042408

Claim:
A coupling system, comprising: a first coupling part comprising a first base plate, at least one support post extending from said base plate; a second coupling part comprising a second base plate having at least one recess configured to receive said at least one support post; said first coupling part and said second coupling part configured to be coupled and uncoupled to each other; a force sensor configured to measure the mechanical loading on said at least one support post in at least two spatial directions such that the measured forces may be used to determine a state of the coupling between the first coupling part and the second coupling part; and an evaluation unit disposed on said first coupling part and operably coupled to said force sensor, said evaluation unit configured to detect measurement signals from said force sensor, wherein said first coupling part is a locking unit which is configured to be attached to a robot, and said first coupling part is configured to couple a plurality of functions, and said second coupling part is an adaptor which is configured to be attached to a tool, and said second coupling part is configured to couple a plurality of functions.