A coupling mechanism for securing a tool to a tool arm may include a housing and an engaging lock. The engaging lock may be arranged within the housing and configured for rotation by the tool arm. Rotation of the engaging lock may drive locking mechanisms partially through the housing to establish a longitudinally secured connection.

A mechanical end-effector changer includes a first connection unit and a second connection unit. The first connection unit has mounted therein multiple movable members and mating elastic members. Subject to the linking relationship between each movable member and the respective elastic member, the first connection unit and the second connection unit can be automatically connected together or detached from each other, facilitating end-effector change.

A robot tool exchange device includes a main body portion attached to a robot arm, and a tool attachment portion to which a tool for the robot arm is attached. The main body portion includes a solenoid configured to move a plunger upward by a magnetic force of an electromagnet, a tubular wall that stores a lower portion of the plunger, a ball retractably held by the tubular wall, and a permanent magnet that moves the plunger downward and holds the plunger when the electromagnet is non-excited. When the plunger moves downward, the ball is pressed by the plunger and projects from the tubular wall. The tool attachment portion includes a frame member in which a hole to receive the tubular wall is formed. The frame member includes an engaging wall that engages with the ball projecting from the tubular wall.

A tool switching apparatus includes a main body with an opening, the opening being configured to receive a tool and defining a centerline. A plurality of clamping jaws is provided around the opening, each clamping jaw being configured to rotate around a respective pivot fixedly coupled to the main body. The clamping jaw includes a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a flat spring fixedly coupled to the main body. The clamping jaw is configured to rotate around the pivot in a first rotational direction under an actuation exerted by the tool to allow the first protrusion to move away from the centerline of the opening.

A tool interface for coupling a tool to a robot. The tool interface has an abutment face for abutting a corresponding abutment face of the tool, and a coupling device for mechanically coupling the tool to the tool interface. A discharge device is provided for producing a discharge air flow in the region of the abutment face. The discharge device has a plurality of nozzle openings for discharging the discharge air flow, and the nozzle openings are supplied with compressed air by a common compressed air connection of the tool interface.

A processing device with a constant force spindle capable of quickly switching a force control axial direction and a processing method thereof, having a quick-detach unit fixed at a constant force control unit by a first quick-connecting piece, and respectively connecting and moving synchronously with the spindle by a second quick-connecting piece and a third quick-connecting piece, the first quick-connecting piece moves along with a working end of a multi-axial transfer unit, and when combined, a first axial direction that is coaxial with the force control axial direction is defined; alternatively, the first quick-connecting piece moves along with the working end of the multi-axial transfer unit, and when combined, a second axial direction that is coaxial with the force control axial direction is defined, the first axial direction is not parallel to the second axial direction and has an included angle.

A coupling arrangement for a coupling a detachable deposition accessory to an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), the coupling arrangement comprising: a first portion, the first portion is configured to be removably coupled to the AMR, and is operable to be pivotable about the pitch axis only; a second portion, the second portion is fixedly attached to the AMR and is configured to retain the first portion and limit movement of the detachable deposition accessory in the yaw axis, when coupled to the AMR; and a support arm, wherein the support arm extends between the first and second portions. Thus advantageously, there is provided the means to quickly and easily change the abilities of the autonomous deposition machine attached to an AMR for multiple different deposition application situations.

Systems and methods for changing an end effector are provided. A connecting plate may have a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a kinematic interface. The kinematic interface may include at least one projection extending from both the first side and the second side. A robot flange may have a first kinematic receiver including at least one recess for receiving a corresponding projection of the at least one projection of the first side. An end effector may have a second kinematic receiver and a locking assembly. The second kinematic receiver may include at least one recess for receiving a corresponding projection of the at least one projection of the second side. The locking assembly may be configured to releasably secure the end effector to the robot flange.

A connector includes at least one first connection assembly having a locking structure and capable of realizing a detachable connection with a holder; and a second connection assembly detachably connected with the first connection assembly, wherein the locking structure is configured to lock the second connection assembly connected with the first connection assembly in a state that the first connection assembly is disconnected from the holder, and to unlock the second connection assembly connected with the first connection assembly in a state that the first connection assembly is connected with the holder. An end effector device and a sorting equipment also are provided.

A vacuum gripping element and device hold a component to be transported when subjected to a vacuum. The device includes a carrying device and at least one vacuum gripping element connected releasably to the carrying device as needed. The element includes a base body with at least one vacuum supply channel and an elastic, form-flexible sealing element. A locking coupling forms a first fastener for positively connecting and releasing the gripping element relative to the carrying device as required. Alternatively, the base body includes first and second base body parts, the first part positively connecting and releasing relative to the carrying device as required by the first fastener, and the second part being connected to the elastic, form-flexible sealing element. A locking coupling forms a second fastener for positively connecting and releasing the first base body part relative to the second base body part as required.