Generalized system architecture for peripheral connectivity and control

摘要

Generally, systems, devices, and methods for a generalized architecture for power and networking in robotic systems is presented. On a robotic chassis, a branching cable harness routes multiple power connections and communications interfaces from an onboard computer and multiple power supplies to various locations on the chassis. Each branch carries all the power and communications connections that are needed by various peripherals, and all the branches terminate with identical connectors. A custom patch cable for each peripheral, such as a camera, taps the appropriate power and communications interfaces from the branches for the peripheral. The peripherals can be relocated on the chassis by unplugging their respective patch cables from the central cable, relocating, and then plugged the patch cables into the nearest branch.

主权项

1. A robotic system having multiple common interfaces for user-relocatable peripherals, comprising:
a chassis; multiple power supplies; at least one communication interface; a plurality of common connectors located on positions distributed around the chassis, each common connector operatively connected via conductors with the multiple power supplies and the at least one communication interface, the common connectors having an identical power and communication layout with respect to one another, at least one conductor configured for connecting with a first power supply having a different gauge than a second conductor configured for connecting with a second power supply; a set of patch cables for connecting the common connectors with different peripherals, each patch cable adapted to mate with any of the common connectors and tap appropriate power and communications lines for a respective peripheral, whereby the different peripherals and associated patch cables can be moved to different positions around the chassis by an end user without re-wiring the chassis; a plurality of common rigid mechanical mounts for the peripherals, each common rigid mechanical mount being identical to one another and located proximate to a common connector; and a plurality of thumbscrews, each thumbscrew connected with a corresponding mechanical mount.