Gripper device for an object, charging robot having a gripper device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11975441-B2
Application number	US-201916977114-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2019
Priority date	Mar 1, 2018
Publication date	May 7, 2024
Grant date	May 7, 2024

Abstract

A gripper device for an object and a changing robot having such a gripper device. The gripper device includes a housing having an inner contour that is a negative contour adapted at least partly to the contour of an object. Also disclosed is a charge plug for a transportation vehicle.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A gripper device for gripping a charger plug for charging a transportation vehicle, the gripper device comprising:
a housing including an internal contour that is a negative contour adapted to a contour of a handle region of the charger plug; and
a lever for activating a securing element of the charger plug,
wherein the housing is configured to be pushed onto the charger plug and snapped into place by tilting whereby the internal contour of the housing engages with the contour of the charger plug handle region, and
wherein the lever is disposed on the gripper device such that the lever is automatically activated and unlocks the securing element as a result of the gripper housing being pushed onto the charger plug.

2. The gripper device of claim 1 , the gripper device further comprising a locking mechanism which fixes the charger plug in the housing.

3. The gripper device of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism engages in a handle recess of the charger plug.

4. The gripper device of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises an adjustable stud for introduction into a cavity of the handle region.

5. The gripper device of claim 1 , wherein the gripper device comprises an unlocking mechanism for a securing element of the charger plug.

6. The gripper device of claim 5 , wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises a spring mechanism for activating the securing element.

7. The gripper device of claim 5 , wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises an actuator for activating the securing element.

8. The gripper device of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a stationary post, wherein the contour of the stationary post is adapted to a contour of a cavity of a handle region of the charger plug.

9. The gripper device of claim 1 , wherein the lever has a curvature adapted to a shape of the handle region.

10. A charging robot for a transportation vehicle, wherein the charging robot comprises the gripper device of claim 1 .

11. The charging robot of claim 10 , wherein the internal contour of the housing is adapted to a contour of a handle region of the charger plug.

12. The charging robot of claim 10 , wherein the gripper device has a locking mechanism which fixes the charger plug in the housing.

13. The charging robot of claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism engages in a handle recess of the charger plug.

14. The charging robot of claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism has an adjustable stud for introduction into a cavity of the handle region.

15. The charging robot of claim 10 , wherein the gripper device has an unlocking mechanism for a securing element of the charger plug.

16. The charging robot of claim 15 , wherein the unlocking mechanism has a spring mechanism for activating the securing element.

17. The charging robot of claim 15 , wherein the unlocking mechanism has an actuator for activating the securing element.

18. The charging robot of claim 10 , wherein the housing has a stationary post, wherein the contour of the stationary post is adapted to a contour of a cavity of a handle region of the charger plug.

19. The charging robot of claim 18 , wherein the gripper device has a lever for activating a securing element of the charger plug.

20. The charging robot of claim 19 , wherein the lever has a curvature adapted to a shape of the handle region.

Assignees

• Volkswagen Ag

Inventors

• Herold Stephan
• Schütz Daniel
• Fondahl Kristin
• Raatz Annika
• Ibrahim Serhat
• Ibenthal Julius
• Bartling Felix

Classifications

• B25J11/008 Primary

  Manipulators for service tasks · CPC title

• B25J15/0033

  with gripping surfaces having special shapes · CPC title

• B60L53/16

  Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles · CPC title

• B60L53/35 Primary

  Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles · CPC title

• B60L53/14

  Conductive energy transfer · CPC title