Vacuum coupling for robot arm

• US 10,641,422 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligrated Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intelligrated Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Girtman, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt, II, James M
• Application Number:
  US16/151,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20190032826A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• Field of Search: 901 28, 901 40, 901 49
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0041 having rotary connection means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/087 Joints with radial fluid passages

Abstract

A vacuum coupling applies vacuum from a vacuum source to a rotating tool attached to a rotating end of a robotic arm. The vacuum coupling includes a rotating portion attaching the rotating tool to the rotating end of the robotic arm. The rotating portion communicates vacuum with the rotating tool. A fixed portion is positioned around the rotating portion such that the rotating portion is rotatable relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion communicates vacuum to the rotating portion. At least one rotating vacuum seal is positioned between the fixed portion and the rotating portion.

Claims

1. A vacuum coupling configured to apply vacuum from a vacuum source to a rotating tool, the rotating tool being attached to a rotating end of a robotic arm, the vacuum coupling comprising:

a rotating portion attaching the rotating tool to the rotating end of the robotic arm such that the rotating portion and the rotating tool rotate in response to rotation of the rotating end of the robotic arm, wherein the rotating portion is configured to communicate vacuum with the rotating tool;

a fixed portion positioned around the rotating portion such that the rotating portion is rotatable relative to the fixed portion, wherein the fixed portion is configured to communicate vacuum to the rotating portion; and

at least one seal between the fixed portion and the rotating portion, wherein the at least one seal comprises a fixed vacuum seal and a rotating vacuum seal.

2. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein the rotating portion comprises a vacuum plenum.

3. The vacuum coupling of claim 2, wherein the vacuum plenum is cylindrical.

4. The vacuum coupling of claim 2, wherein the vacuum plenum comprises a plurality of openings for communicating vacuum to the vacuum plenum.

5. The vacuum coupling of claim 2, wherein the vacuum plenum comprises a step configured to maintain axial position of the rotating portion relative to the fixed portion.

6. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein the rotating portion comprises a flange coupling the rotating portion with the rotating end of the robotic arm.

7. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein the rotating portion comprises a flange coupling the rotating portion with the rotating tool.

8. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein the rotating portion comprises a first flange located at a first end of the rotating portion and a second flange located at an opposing end of the rotating portion from the first flange.

9. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion is coupled with a first portion of the robotic arm that does not rotate.

10. The vacuum coupling of claim 9 further comprising a bracket for coupling the fixed portion with the first portion of the robotic arm.

11. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises a manifold defining an opening extending through the manifold.

12. The vacuum coupling of claim 11, wherein the rotating portion is positioned through the opening of the manifold.

13. The vacuum coupling of claim 11, wherein the manifold comprises a port coupled with a vacuum source.

14. The vacuum coupling of claim 13, wherein the port is positioned through a side wall of the manifold.

15. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one annular vacuum seal positioned in contact with the rotating portion to form the at least one seal.

16. The vacuum coupling of claim 15, wherein the at least one annular vacuum seal comprises a first annular vacuum seal positioned at a first end of the fixed portion and a second annular vacuum seal positioned on an opposing end of the fixed portion.

17. The vacuum coupling of claim 15, wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one manifold plate retaining the at least one annular vacuum seal.

18. The vacuum coupling of claim 17, wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one clamp plate coupling the at least one manifold plate to the fixed portion.

19. The vacuum coupling of claim 1, wherein one of the fixed vacuum seal and the rotating vacuum seal forms a seal with the fixed portion and the other of the fixed vacuum seal and the rotating vacuum seal forms a seal with the rotating portion.