Power switching mechanism for robotic applications

摘要

A power switching mechanism for selectively connecting a robotic system having two-degrees-of-freedom power input to a robot tool having a plurality of actuators. The two-degrees-of-freedom power input comprises a translation power input and a power shaft rotation input. The switching mechanism comprises an axially displaceable connector mounted to the power shaft rotation input for rotating therewith. An indexing mechanism is connected to the power shaft rotation input and is axially movable sequentially between a neutral position and an actuator engaging position for each actuator. The axially displaceable connector engages any one of the actuators in response to movement of the axial translation of the two-degrees-of-freedom power input.