Defense Related Robotic Systems

Abstract

A robot quick-release assembly has a first joint member and a robot component mounted thereon, the first joint member has a first coupler and a second joint member, a robot arm mounted thereon has a second coupler, a clamp, and a locking collar. The first coupler can be coaxially aligned with the second coupler and pressed into the second joint member, and detachably connected to the second joint member. The first mechanical coupler is detachably connected to the second mechanical coupler for transferring power across the quick-release assembly. The robot component can receive an additional electrical connector, the additional electrical connector supplying power to the robot component. The quick-release assembly coupling assembly further exerts large forces with the application of a relatively small torque to the locking collar by applying a two stage wedge engagement and can further include a sequencing system.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A robot arrangement, wherein the robot arrangement comprises:
 a coupling assembly for connecting a robot component to a robot arm;   a chip embedded in the robot component; and   a connection from the robot component to a control unit, the control unit comprising software,   wherein the embedded chip is configured to transmit detailed information about the robot component to the control unit through the connection,   wherein the detailed information of the robot component provides information to the control unit about the robot component in order for the robot component to be operated and controlled without reconfiguring the software.   
     
     
         2 . The robot arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to transmit a control signal to the robot component, operative to control the robot component. 
     
     
         3 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the embedded chip contains detailed information comprising identification information about the robot component. 
     
     
         4 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the detailed information is transmitted to the control unit by the embedded chip through the connection. 
     
     
         5 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit adapts operation of the robot component based on the detailed information received from the embedded chip through the connection. 
     
     
         6 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the robot arrangement further comprises a display screen having a display interface. 
     
     
         7 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 1 , further comprising an operator control unit configured to adapt the display interface based on the detailed information received from the embedded chip through the connection. 
     
     
         8 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein the connection is an electrical connection. 
     
     
         9 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 1 , wherein control signals are transmitted from the control unit through the connection to the robot component. 
     
     
         10 . A robot arrangement comprising:
 at least one robot component;   a robot with a robot arm;   a quick-release coupling assembly for connecting the at least one robot component to the robot arm;   an operator control unit comprising software associated with the robot;   a memory chip associated with the at least one robot component, the memory chip comprising detailed information about the at least one robot component; and   a communication interface for electrically connecting the at least one robot component to the robot arm,   wherein the memory chip is configured to transmit detailed information about the at least one robot component to the operator control unit via the communication interface when the at least one robot component is connected to the robot arm,   wherein the detailed information of the at least one robot component provides information to the operator control unit about the at least one robot component in order for the at least one robot component to be used and controlled without reconfiguring the software.   
     
     
         11 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 10 , wherein the operator control unit is configured to interact with the at least one robot component based on the detailed information received from the memory chip through the communication interface. 
     
     
         12 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 10 , wherein the operator control unit adapts operation of the robot based on the detailed information received from the memory chip through the communication interface. 
     
     
         13 . The robot arrangement as in  claim 10 , wherein the control unit further comprises a display screen having a display interface, wherein the operator control unit adapts the display interface based on the detailed information received from the memory chip through the communication interface.