Fanuc Robotics North America, Inc.

Robert Frease

Hadi A Akeel

H Dean McGee

Stan Henry McClosky

Donald S Bartlett

James C Hobson

Lupcho Najdovski

Ernest M Otani

Robert V Bauer, Jr

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

Growing community of inventors

Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Robert Frease