A robotic tool changer is provided including a tool adapter. The tool adapter includes a body having a robot wall, a tool wall, and a side wall extending from the robot wall to the tool wall. A rear opening is formed in the side wall and the tool wall through which a tool element extends to enter a tool hole formed in the body. The tool adapter also includes a locking member movable relative to the body between an open position in which the locking member permits positioning of the tool element into or out of the tool hole through the rear opening, and a closed position in which the locking member prohibits positioning of the tool element into or out of the tool hole through the rear opening.

A device (1) for conductive charging, having a vehicle unit (2) that is fixedly mounted on a vehicle, and a stationary, but moveably mounted robot unit (3), wherein: the vehicle unit (2) can be operatively connected to the robot unit (3) in order to carry out the charging process; the two units (2, 3) each have a housing (4, 10) in which associated contact elements (5, 11) are disposed; in the robot unit (3), the contact elements (5) are recessed in the housing (4) of the robot unit (3); and the contact elements (11) in the housing (10) of the vehicle unit (2) are fixed in place, characterised in that provided on the vehicle unit (2) is a contact engagement guard (12) which can be moved relative to the housing (10) of the vehicle unit (2) and by means of which the contact elements (11) of the vehicle unit (2) are protected or exposed.

A device (1) for conductive charging, having a vehicle unit (2) that is fixedly mounted on a vehicle, and a stationary, but moveably mounted robot unit (3), wherein: the vehicle unit (2) can be operatively connected to the robot unit (3) in order to carry out the charging process; the two units (2, 3) each have a housing (4, 10) in which associated contact elements (5, 11) are disposed; in the robot unit (3), the contact elements (5) are recessed in the housing (4) of the robot unit (3); and the contact elements (11) in the housing (10) of the vehicle unit (2) are fixed in place, characterised in that the at least one contact element (5) of the robot unit (3) has a base (7), from which a cylindrical portion (8) and a contact tab (6) project, and the at least one contact element (11) of the vehicle unit (2) has a base (18), from which at least one contact spring (20) and a contact tab (19) project.

A transport mechanism for wafers of different sizes and types includes a carrier device and a manipulator device. The carrier device has a mounting rack, multiple supporting units, and multiple carrier units. The multiple supporting units are mounted on the mounting rack, and each supporting unit has two supporting bases. Each one of the multiple carrier units has two carrier plates. Each one of the two carrier plates has a connecting rod and two positioning rods. The two positioning rods are respectively located on two sides of the connecting rod. The manipulator device has a driving unit and a manipulator unit. The manipulator unit is mounted on the driving unit and has two arms. Each one of the two arms has a connecting socket and two positioning sockets. The two positioning sockets are respectively located beside the connecting socket. The locking element is movably mounted to the arm.

A device for transmission of rotary motion and transfer of a fluid medium, comprising a planetary gear train for transmission of rotary motion about a main axis which has at least one reduction stage which is provided with a sun gear, which rotates about the main axis, and a toothed ring gear which are mutually concentric and between which at least two planetary gears are engaged which are supported in rotation at least about the respective longitudinal axes which are parallel to the main axis by a planetary gear carrier; such planetary gear train is provided with a driving input sun gear and with an output ring gear and with an output planetary gear carrier, of which one can move in rotation about the main axis with respect to the other; and a rotary joint which extends externally to the planetary gear train for transfer of the fluid medium.

A robotic tool changer ensures inherently safe decoupling operation by only providing pneumatic fluid to a decouple port of a pneumatic coupling mechanism in the case that the tool changer is seated on, and properly aligned with, a tool stand. Pneumatic fluid to decouple the pneumatic coupling mechanism is routed from an air source to the tool stand. A pass-through in the tool stand returns the pneumatic fluid to a pneumatic path in the tool changer leading to a decouple port of the pneumatic coupling mechanism. Hence, the tool changer must be seated on the tool stand for the decouple port to receive pneumatic fluid to operate. Furthermore, a safety coupling is interposed on the pneumatic path between the tool stand and the decouple port. The safety coupling requires the tool changer to be seated on, and properly aligned with, the tool stand to effect the flow of pneumatic fluid—otherwise, the pneumatic fluid is bled to the atmosphere.

A tool changing system of a robot manipulator is proposed. The tool changing system includes: a master coupled to an end of the robot manipulator at a first side thereof; and a slave coupled to a tool at a first side thereof and coupled removably to a second side of the master at a second side thereof, wherein the master includes an actuator and a master magnet rotating according to the rotation of the actuator, and the slave includes a slave magnet rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the master magnet by magnetism therebetween with the master and the slave coupled to each other, whereby the rotating force of the slave magnet as a rotating force necessary for operating the tool is transmitted to the tool.

A modular device includes a polyhedral building element having a first type connector and a number of second type connectors; and a main control module comprising a plurality of second type connectors. The first type connector and the second type connectors are disposed on side surfaces of the building element. One of the second type connectors of the main control module is used to magnetically connect with the first type connector of the building element so as to detachably connect the building element to the main control module. The first type connector includes a first detection circuit, and each second type connector includes a second detection circuit.

High precision end effectors for robots and adapters that provide attachment of the end effectors to a variety of robotic arms are disclosed. The combination provides for harmless break-away of the end effector on collision, and autonomous tool changer capability for mobile robots.

A robotic method and system for providing robotic functions associated with performing an automated task is disclosed. The system includes a host platform operably configured to provide at least some of the robotic functions for performing the automated task and having at least one interface operably configured to receive a modular component operable to provide additional robotic functions for performing the automated task. The system also includes a processor circuit disposed on at least one of the host platform land the modular component. The at least one interface includes a mechanical interface having mounting features that correspond to mounting features on the modular component for removably mounting the modular component, a signal interface for transmitting signals between the modular component and the host platform, and a data interface implemented on the processor circuit and operable to provide functionality for exchanging at least one of commands for performing the additional functions or data associated with the additional functions between the modular component and the processor circuit.