Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for conductive coupling for contact charging and method for safe decoupling. A first interface for transferring electrical energy to or from a mating interface. The first interface comprises a plurality of connectors coupled together. The plurality of connectors further comprises one or more of a first type of connector; and one or more of a second type of connector. In one embodiment, at least one physical property of each of at least one of the first type of connector is unequal to at least one physical property of each of at least one of the second type of connector. The first interface and the mating interface are selectively decoupleable from each other in a plurality of directions.

Abstract: This patent teaches a novel approach to deliver sufficiently high force at the end effector of a robot, without making the overall robot bulky. Instead of transferring the force at the end effector to the predecessor link, the innovative approach taught in this patent consists of transferring the end effector's force directly to ground or to a suitable frame such as conveyer frame in case of spot welding application. Many times, a ground or suitable frame may not be available to transfer the force, but many other times, there is such a frame available, and the technology described in this patent can become critical in designing a compact, lightweight robotic arm and may make a difference between having a viable product or not.

Abstract: The invention teaches a zero-insertion force socket connector that allows mating with a standard pin connector with zero insertion force. An actuation mechanism built into the socket connector is actuated after mating to create a high level of contact force necessary to establish a good electrical contact. The novel method for socket actuation is designed such that the socket contact does not exert any compression force on its mating pin contact—as is the case for a typical pin & socket joint. This helps eliminate buckling of slender contact pins when large contact force is required. The novel socket design allows it to work with a standard pin contact, which could be defined as a standard required connector provided on—for example, on every electric vehicle.