COUPLING MECHANISM FOR ROBOTIC TOOL CHANGERS WITH INCREASED TORSIONAL STIFFNESS AND REDUCED PLAY

摘要

In order to essentially eliminate torsional play in a robot tool changer (10) with a ball lock coupling mechanism, arc-like features in the form of transverse contact recesses (40) are provided in at least one and preferably in both of a bearing ring (38) in a tool assembly (14) the contact points of roller elements (30) and in the opposing inner surfaces of bores (28) containing the roller elements (30) in a main assembly (12). The transverse contact recesses (40) are sized and shaped to receive a corresponding roller element (30) but have a central cavity (44) or channel perpendicular to the roller element movement in torsional play which does not contact the corresponding roller element (30). The transverse contact recess (40) makes contact with the corresponding roller element (30) in contact areas on both sides of the central cavity (44). These contact areas exert two separate contact forces on the roller element (30), both of which are directed towards the center of the roller element and thus effectively prevent a movement of the roller element (30) from side to side or a sway within the transverse contact recess and thus prevent torsional play of the Essentially eliminate the robot tool changer (10).