Modular Link Fastening Mechanism for Various Robot Arm Joint Configurations

Abstract

Current commercial collaborative robot arms have a fixed degree of freedom, workspace, and payload because their links are not replaceable. A modular robot with replaceable links is therefore desirable for various task requirements at industrial sites to be met. To address this problem, this study proposes a modular link fastening mechanism for various joint configurations. The proposed mechanism is a simple structure employing a urethane ring and a cam lever and is easy to design owing to the elasticity and friction of urethane. The static and dynamic load experiments demonstrated that the links remained securely fastened to the robot body even when a large load was applied to the robot. Additionally, the link could be assembled and disassembled in a short period of time.