PROCESSING MODULE FOR A ROBOT
A processing module is provided for improving performance of a robot. The processing module is attached between the robot tool flange and the end effector. Additional interchangeable modules may also be provided between the tool flange and the end effector. The processing module includes a processor that processes sensor data received from one or more sensors. The processor generates lower bit rate processed sensor data from the incoming sensor data. The processed sensor data is transmitted from the processing module to another processor of a robot controller.
1 . A robot, comprising:
a base at one end of the robot;
an end effector at another end of the robot;
a joint disposed between the base and the end effector;
a robot tool mounting surface disposed between the joint and the end effector;
a sensor disposed distal from the robot tool mounting surface away from the base and the joint;
a processing module disposed between the robot tool mounting surface and the end effector, the processing module comprising a housing with a processing module mounting surface, the processing module mounting surface being adapted to attach the end effector thereto; and
a first processor disposed within the housing, wherein the first processor receives sensor data from the sensor and transmits processed sensor data to a second processor of a robot controller, the processed sensor data comprising fewer bits per second than the sensor data.
2 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the processing module is attached to the robot tool mounting surface and the end effector is attached to the processing module mounting surface.
3 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises through holes for attaching the processing module to the robot tool mounting surface with bolts extending therethrough from the processing module mounting surface.
4 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises first and second housing parts, the first housing part being attached to the robot tool mounting surface, and the second housing part being attached to the first housing part, the second housing part comprising the processing module mounting surface.
5 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the robot tool mounting surface comprises an industry standard tool flange.
6 . The robot according to claim 5 , wherein the industry standard tool flange is defined by ISO 9409-1:2004(E).
7 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the robot tool mounting surface comprises a plurality of first threaded holes, the processing module being attached to the robot tool mounting surface with threaded fasteners engaging the first threaded holes.
8 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the processing module mounting surface comprises an industry standard tool flange.
9 . The robot according to claim 8 , wherein the industry standard tool flange is defined by ISO 9409-1:2004(E).
10 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the processing module mounting surface comprises a plurality of second threaded holes, the end effector being attached to the processing module mounting surface with threaded fasteners engaging the second threaded holes.
11 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the robot tool mounting surface comprises a plurality of first threaded holes for attaching the processing module thereto, the processing module mounting surface comprises a plurality of second threaded holes for attaching the end effector thereto, the first and second threaded holes being defined by matching threads and hole patterns.
12 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a first opening for an input port, the input port being connected to the first processor and a first cable being connected to the input port to communicate the sensor data from the sensor.
13 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a second opening for an output port, the output port being connected to the first processor and a second cable being connected to the output port to communicate the processed sensor data to the second processor.
14 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the processing module further comprises an input port between the first processor and the sensor, an output port between the first and second processors, memory disposed within the housing, an operating system being loaded onto the memory, and the operating system controlling the first processor.
15 . The robot according to claim 14 , wherein the memory further stores the sensor data and the processed sensor data.
16 . The robot according to claim 14 , wherein the memory further stores an application with instructions used by the first processor to process the sensor data into the processed sensor data.
17 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises cooling fins along an exterior thereof, the cooling fins being in thermal communication with the first processor.
18 . The robot according to claim 17 , wherein the housing is made of metal and the cooling fins are integrally formed along an exterior of the housing.
19 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the robot tool mounting surface comprises an industry standard tool flange, the processing module mounting surface also comprises the industry standard tool flange, the robot tool mounting surface comprises a plurality of first threaded holes for attaching the processing module thereto, the processing module mounting surface comprises a plurality of second threaded holes for attaching the end effector thereto, the first and second threaded holes being defined by matching threads and hole patterns, the housing comprises a first opening for an input port, the input port being connected to the first processor and a first cable being connected to the input port to communicate the sensor data from the sensor, and the housing comprises a second opening for an output port, the output port being connected to the first processor and a second cable being connected to the output port to communicate the processed sensor data to the second processor.
20 . The robot according to claim 19 , wherein the processing module further comprises memory disposed within the housing, an operating system being loaded onto the memory, and the operating system controlling the first processor, the memory further stores the sensor data and the processed sensor data, and the memory further stores an application with instructions used by the first processor to process the sensor data into the processed sensor data.