Designing and Validating a Self-Aligning Tool Changer for Modular Reconfigurable Manipulation Robots

Abstract

Modular reconfigurable robots require reliable mechanisms for automated module exchange, but conventional rigid active couplings often fail due to inevitable positioning and orientational errors. To address this, we propose a misalignment-tolerant tool-changing system. The hardware features a motor-driven coupling utilizing passive self-alignment geometries, specifically chamfered receptacles and triangular lead-in guides, to robustly compensate for angular and lateral misalignments without complex force sensors. To make this autonomous exchange practically feasible, the mechanism is complemented by a compact rotating tool exchange station for efficient module storage. Real-world autonomous tool-picking experiments validate that the self-aligning features successfully absorb execution errors, enabling highly reliable robotic tool reconfiguration.