---
publication_id: "OT-2026-000001054"
title: "Passive rotation disconnect"
published_at: "2026-09-15T19:03:48.183783Z"
canonical_url: "https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000001054"
categories:
  - "robotics-automation/robot-architectures"
keywords:
  - "b25j15/0416"
  - "b25j15/0416"
  - "e21b17/021"
  - "e21b17/021"
  - "b23b31/1071"
  - "b23b31/1071"
---

# Passive rotation disconnect

## Abstract

A system for interchanging end effectors on a robot of a drill rig. The system comprises a robot (50), a coupling mechanism (100), and one or more end effectors (60). The robot (50) comprises a base portion (52) configured for securing to a drill floor of the drill rig, a shoulder portion (54) coupled to the base portion (52), an articulated arm (56) operably coupled to the shoulder portion (54) at a first end and extending to a second end, and a wrist portion (58) arranged on the second end of the articulated arm (56) and being adapted for selectively engaging and disengaging an end effector (60). The coupling mechanism (100) comprises a robot portion (102) and a tool portion (104). The one or more end effectors (60) are arranged at a setting location accessible by the wrist portion (58) of the robot (50) using the coupling mechanism (100). The robot (50) is configured to use the one or more end effectors (60) to perform selected operations on the drill rig and is further configured to use the coupling mechanism (100) to interchange end effectors (60) to use selected end effectors (60) that correspond to the selected operations.