The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 30, 1997
Filed:
Jul. 18, 1996
Rudolf Bauer, Neubiberg, DE;
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Munich, DE;
Abstract
A system is provided for sensing an exit direction of a flexible supply line relative to an apparatus, such as robot or autonomous mobile unit. A method is also provided for planning the movement of such a unit based partly on such supply line direction data. The system includes a pressure sensor a least partially disposed around an exit opening through which the supply line is feedably guided. Upon contact at a given point on the sensor from the supply line, the sensor emits a signal corresponding to a particular exit direction. From this signal, a probable exit direction is inferred and a more precise movement planning is enabled, avoiding measurement errors that arise when the cable is run over can be avoided, or avoiding knottings of the cable.