Fanuc Robotics North America, Inc.

Gmf Robotics Corporation

Lupcho Najdovski

Stan Henry McClosky

Hadi A Akeel

H Dean McGee

Donald S Bartlett

James C Hobson

Robert C Foti

Ernest M Otani

Robert V Bauer, Jr

Robert Frease

An intelligent power assisted manual manipulator controllable by operator inputs from an operator for moving an object is provided. The manipulator includes a movable base supporting a lift mechanism for moving the object. The manipulator also includes at least one servomotor for actuating at least one of the movable base and the lift mechanism for moving the object. An operator control mechanism for receiving the operator inputs is supported on the lift mechanism. A plurality of force sensors are disposed between the operator control mechanism and the lift mechanism for sensing said operator inputs and actuating at least one of the at least one servomotor. The movable base includes an overhead rail defining a generally horizontal first axis and a carriage supported on the overhead rail and movable along the first axis. The lift mechanism includes a turret assembly supported on the carriage having a generally vertical second axis, and a generally horizontal third axis. The carriage has first and second elongated portions in opposing generally horizontal planes and third and fourth elongated portions in generally vertical planes. Oversize rollers on unhardened ways support the carriage. A main arm extends from the turret with the main arm being rotatable about the second and third axes. An attachment interface is supported by the main arm and adapted to support the object, the attachment interface having a fifth axis about which the attachment interface is rotatable. The manipulator is also adapted for lifting different objects having different weights. The arm has a portion opposite the pivotal connection adapted to support the object. A gravity balancer mechanism is adapted to support the different weights, and a motion servomotor is adapted to produce a movement of the arm by drivingly rotating the arm about the axis.

Intelligent power assisted manual manipulator

A robot assembly (10) for opening and holding an automotive door including a base (12) movably mounted to a platform (14). An inner robot arm (18) is pivotally mounted to the base. An outer robot arm (20) is pivotally mounted to the inner arm (18). A tool arm (22) is pivotally mounted to the outer robot arm (20). The tool arm (22) includes a shaft (58) presenting a second tool arm axis (A.sub.4) for rotation about the second tool arm axis (A.sub.4). A sphere (90), presenting first, second and third sphere axes (A.sub.5,A.sub.6,A.sub.7), is mounted to the distal end of the shaft (58) for rotatably supporting a magnet tool (118). A pin (104) extends from the sphere (90) for preventing the rotation of the tool (118) about the first sphere axis (A.sub.) which is parallel to the second tool arm axis (A.sub.4). The tool (118) is positioned in a home position relative to the second tool arm axis (A.sub.4) by a biasing spring (70) operatively connected to the shaft (58). The tool (118) is positioned in a normal position relative to the second sphere axis (A.sub.6) by a pair of biasing springs (110) engaged with the pin (104). The robot arms (18, 20) maneuver the tool (118) such that the tool (118) engages and opens the door. As the tool (118) engages and opens the door, the tool (118) rotates about the second tool arm axis (A.sub.4), the second sphere axis (As, and the third sphere axis (A.sub.7). The sphere (90) is sealed by a sealing means (112, 114) which accommodates for the rotation of the tool (118). A proximity sensor (74) detects if the tool (118) has hold of the door. The tool arm (22) includes a clutch plate (24) for allowing the tool arm (22) to breakaway from the outer robot arm (20) in the event the tool (118) unexpectedly crashes.

Automotive door opening robot assembly

A laser robot system including an offset robot. The system includes a laser beam generator for generating a laser beam. The robot includes a pedestal having a vertical first axis and a hollow base support on the pedestal for rotation about the first axis and for receiving the laser beam along the first axis. A single computer-based controller controls the laser beam generator, a drive system of the robot and an air source which is in fluid communication with the base of the robot. The air source pressurizes the laser beam path through the robot, thereby preventing contamination of the beam path. A hollow arm support in the form of a swing block is laterally supported on the base for rotation relative to the base about a horizontal second axis which intersects the first axis. A robot arm is elongated along a third axis which is obliquely angled to and intersects the second axis. The robot arm is laterally supported on the swing block for pivotal rotation therewith relative to the base about the second axis. First and second mirrors are supported within the base and the arm, respectively, so that a laser beam traveling along the first axis is deflected to then travel along the second axis and then deflected to travel along the third axis and through an optical focusing assembly on the arm. The first mirror is reversible so that the base can receive the laser beam from opposite directions.

Industrial laser robot system

Growing community of inventors

Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Lupcho Najdovski