EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING, AND/OR EXCHANGING REMOTE ELEMENTS TO A CENTRAL CONTROL SOURCE

摘要

An exchange system is provided for connecting a remote, manipulable element, such as a robot arm tool gripper, to a central control source, such as a robot arm and its associated programmable control. An upper exchange unit attaches to the robot arm and receives control signals which pass through the body of the upper unit to a matable lower exchange unit. A plurality of lower exchange units are provided, each attached to an individual tool gripper and relaying control signals to the gripper. The mating upper and lower exchange units provide for serial connection of the robot arm to any desired one of any array of tool grippers and for communication of control signals through the mated units to each tool gripper without the need for separate control umbilicals between each tool gripper and the control signal source.