US4664588A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for connecting and exchanging remote manipulable elements to a central control source
Assignee: KLA Tencor Technologies Corp
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Filing: 1986-01-03
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2006-01-03
Abstract
Abstract An exchange system is provided for connecting a remote, manipulable element, such as a robot arm tool gripper, to a central control source, such as a robot arm and its associated programmable control. An upper exchange unit attaches to the robot arm and receives control signals which pass through the body of the upper unit to a matable lower exchange unit. A plurality of lower exchange units are provided, each attached to an individual tool gripper and relaying control signals to the gripper. The mating upper and lower exchange units provide for serial connection of the robot arm to any desired one of an array of tool grippers and for communication of control signals through the mated units to each tool gripper without the need for separate control umbilicals between each tool gripper and the control signal source.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce D. Newell
- 👤 Thomas J. Petronis
- 👤 Lawrence R. Krause
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:22
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J15/00; B25J15/04; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/0063; B23Q9/00; B23Q9/0064; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S483/00; Y10S483/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A manipulator tool exchange sytem, comprising: a. a lightweight first exchange unit attachable to and in signal communication with a central control source and having control signal conducting means passing therethrough; b. at least one lightweight second exchange unit matable with and releasably connectable to the first exchange unit and attachable to and in control signal communication with a remote manipulable element, the second exchange unit having control signal conducting means passing therethrough and matable with the first exchange unit for passing of control signals to the remote manipulable element; and c. locking means, internal to the first exchange unit, in signal communication with and responsive to the central control source for connecting and disconnecting the matable exchange units, the locking means comprising a plurality of latch means, pivotally connected to an axially moveable drive means and slidable on a pin fixed in a mount to engage latch retaining means in response to signals from the central control source to the drive means to engage and disengage on command, the matable exchange units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A manipulator tool exchange sytem, comprising: a. a lightweight first exchange unit attachable to and in signal communication with a central control source and having control signal conducting means passing therethrough; b. at least one lightweight second exchange unit matable with and releasably connectable to the first exchange unit and attachable to and in control signal communication with a remote manipulable element, the second exchange unit having control signal conducting means passing therethrough and matable with the first exchange unit for passing of control signals to the remote manipulable element; and c. locking means, internal to the first exchange unit, in signal communication with and responsive to the central control source for connecting and disconnecting the matable exchange units, the locking means comprising a plurality of latch means, pivotally connected to an axially moveable drive means and slidable on a pin fixed in a mount to engage latch retaining means in response to signals from the central control source to the drive means to engage and disengage on command, the matable exchange units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The exchange system of claim 1 wherein the latch means slide and pivot in response to the drive means to (a) engage the latch retaining means prior to mating of the first exchange unit and the second exchange unit and (b) upon further sliding and pivoting, lift the second exchange unit into secure mating contact with the first exchange unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The exchange system of claim 2 wherein the drive means comprises a double-acting pneumatic cylinder and piston output shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The exchange system of claim 3 wherein the latch means are pivotally connected to a yoke and slidably connected to a mount, the yoke being pivotally mounted to the output shaft, which pivotal mounting of the yoke serves to equalize lifting forces exerted on the latch retaining means during mating of the first and second exchange units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The exchange system of claim 1 wherein the matable control signal conducting means includes spring-loaded contact elements mounted in the face of at least one of the exchange units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The exchange unit of claim 1 or 5 wherein the locking means comprises means for lifting the second exchange unit into secure mating contact with the first exchange unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The exchange system of claim 5 wherein the spring-loaded contact elements are electrical signal conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The exchange system of claim 5 wherein the spring-loaded contact elements are axially reciprocable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The exchange system of claim 1 wherein the latch means interfere slightly with a surface in the second exchange unit during disengagement of the mated exchange units to assist in urging the exchange units apart.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a manipulator tool exchange unit system comprising first and second exchange units matable along an axis, the improvement comprising matable control signal conducting means mounted in each exchange unit coaxially with the axis of mating, so as to mate upon mating of the exchange units, the control signal conducting means further comprising axially reciprocable spring-loaded electrical signal conducting contact elements mounted in at least one of the matable exchange units.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a manipulator tool exchange unit system comprising first and second exchange units matable along an axis, the improvement comprising matable control signal conducting means mounted in each exchange unit coaxially with the axis of mating, so as to mate upon mating of the exchange units, the control signal conducting means further comprising axially reciprocable spring-loaded electrical signal conducting contact elements mounted in at least one of the matable exchange units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a manipulator tool exchange unit system comprising matable first and second exchange units having matable control signal conducting means mounted in each exchange unit, the improvement comprising the control signal conducting means having long axes aligned upon mating of the exchange units and at least one of the mating conducting means being an axially reciprocable spring-loaded electrical signal conducting contact element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a manipulator tool exchange unit system comprising matable first and second exchange units having matable control signal conducting means mounted in each exchange unit, the improvement comprising the control signal conducting means having long axes aligned upon mating of the exchange units and at least one of the mating conducting means being an axially reciprocable spring-loaded electrical signal conducting contact element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |