Patent classifications
B25J15/00
ROBOTIC GRIPPER APPARATUS
Various aspects of robotic grippers are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a robotic gripper may include three gripper fingers arranged on a mechanical end effector, the three gripper fingers configured to translate radially when actuated to contact and align with a gripper interface located on a part to enable manipulation of the part. In various embodiments, each gripper finger may include an elongated portion configured to contact an outer surface of the gripper interface when the gripper fingers are actuated. Each gripper finger may further include a hook portion configured to contact an inner surface of the gripper interface opposing the outer surface. In various embodiments, the hook portion may include a receptacle positioned to align with a complementary protrusion on the gripper interface.
ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM
A robot control system includes: a mobile robot that controls movement of an object; an estimation unit that estimates a position of the object based on detection information of the object acquired by first sensors installed on base portions of the mobile robot; and a control unit that controls an end effector of the mobile robot. The control unit moves the end effector to the position estimated by the estimation unit, and controls the movement of the object using the end effector when a distance between the object and the second sensor acquired by the second sensor is equal to or less than a distance threshold value.
Direct Drive End-Effectors with Parallel Kinematics
A gripper includes at least one movable finger. Each movable finger includes a first motor, a second motor, a first motor link having a first end coupled to a rotor of the first motor, a second motor link having a first end coupled to a rotor of the second motor, a finger link having a first end in pivotal connection with a second end of the second motor link and a gripper pad, and a connecting link having a first end in pivotal connection with a second end of the first motor link and a second end in pivotal connection with the finger link. The gripper further includes at least one controller programmed or configured to actuate the first motor and the second motor of each of the at least one movable finger.
HANDLING ROBOT
A method for retrieving an inventory item based on a handling robot, where the handling robot includes: a storage frame; and a material handling device installed on the storage frame, and including a telescopic arm and a manipulator installed to the telescopic arm; and the method for retrieving an inventory item includes: driving, by the telescopic arm, the manipulator to extend to a preset position of warehouse shelf along a preset horizontal reference line; loading, by the manipulator that is remained on the reference line, the inventory item located in the preset position; driving, by the telescopic arm, the manipulator loaded with the inventory item to move to the storage frame along the reference line; and unloading, by the manipulator that is remained on the reference line, the inventory item to the storage frame.
Centering device
A centering device (1) for centering flat workpieces (700-706) comprises a centering station (100) having at least a first and a second gripping device (300, 301) for gripping the workpiece (700-706), and conveying means for conveying workpieces (700-706) in a conveying direction to the centering station (100). The first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can each be moved horizontally by a first and a second guiding device (200, 201), respectively, and the first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can rotate freely about an axis.
Consumable-material handling device for transporting and/or handling at least one consumable material, in particular packaging material
The invention relates to a consumable-material handling device for transporting and/or handling at least one consumable material (12a; 12b), in particular packaging material, comprising at least one at least partially autonomous handling unit (14a; 14b), which is at least provided for handling the consumable material (12a; 12b). According to the invention, the machine tool comprises at least one, in particular at least partially autonomous, mobility unit (16a; 16b), on which the handling unit (14a; 14b) is arranged and which is at least provided for enabling locomotion, in particular at least partially autonomous locomotion, of the handling unit (14a; 14b).
Deformable end effectors for cosmetic robotics
A device for ensuring safe operation of a robot used for cosmetics applications, including the retrofitting of robots not originally design for such applications. In some embodiments, the robot is used for the automatic placement of eyelash extensions onto the natural eyelashes of a subject. In some embodiments, a safety barrier is provided by a physical barrier or light curtain. In other embodiments, readily deformable end effectors are used.
Method for orienting two workpieces to form a joining connection and manipulator
The invention relates to a method for orientating two workpieces in order to form a joining connection, wherein in a longitudinal orientation step the first workpiece is orientated relative to the second workpiece) along at least one of the workpiece edges by linear movement of at least one of the grippers relative to the other gripper and wherein the longitudinal orientation step is carried out during the transport of the workpieces from the provision station to the processing station. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manipulator which comprises a first gripper and a second gripper.
Surgical system and method for triggering a position change of a robotic device
The present disclosure relates to a surgical system for treating an anatomical structure according to a plurality of target planes and/or axes, comprising: a robotic device (1) comprising: an end effector (2) defining a current plane or axis, an actuation unit (11) coupled to the end effector (2), a tracking unit (3) configured to determine a pose of the current plane or axis, a control unit coupled to the tracking unit and configured to control the actuation unit (11) to align the current plane or axis of the end effector (2) with each one of the plurality of target planes and/or axes to treat the anatomical structure, the robotic device being operable in at least the following modes: a working mode wherein a treatment is being performed with the end effector constrained to one target plane or axis by the actuation unit, and a waiting mode wherein no treatment is being performed and the actuation unit is operable to move the end effector in alignment with another target plane or axis, wherein the control unit is further configured to: (a) determine that the robotic device (1) is in the waiting mode; (b) detect a triggering force applied to the end effector (2) and/or the actuation unit (11) in at least one first direction; (c) as a result of determination (a) and detection (b), trigger a position change of the end effector (2) by the actuation unit (11) to align the current plane or axis with a next target plane or axis.
Additive manufacturing technique for thin-wall pressure vessels
A device for applying a layer of material within a thin-walled pressure vessel may include one or more maneuvering actuators configured to direct the device within the thin-walled pressure vessel, an applicator operatively coupled to the one or more maneuvering actuators, and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more maneuvering actuators and the applicator, the controller is configured to control the one or more maneuvering actuators and the applicator. The applicator may include an expander configured to apply pressure along a portion of an inner wall of the thin-walled pressure vessel, a receptacle configured to secure the material to the device and position the material along the inner wall of the thin-walled pressure vessel, and a bonder configured to bond the material along the inner wall of the thin-walled pressure vessel.