An electric motor has a first carrier having an array of electromagnetic elements and a second carrier having electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles. The first and second carriers each define an axis. An airgap is formed between the first and second carriers when in an operational position. An inner thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. An outer thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. The electromagnetic elements of each of the first and second carriers are arranged radially inward of the outer thrust bearing and radially outward of the inner thrust bearing. The inner thrust bearing and the outer thrust bearing are arranged to maintain the airgap against a magnetic attraction of the electromagnetic elements of the first and second carriers.

The present invention relates to a joint mechanism (100), a method for controlling the joint mechanism (100), a multi-arm device (200) including the joint mechanism (100), and a robot. The joint mechanism (100) comprises: a base (4) having a pivot shaft (41); a swinging arm (1) having a first end (11) mounted on the pivot shall (41); a first driving member (2) and a second driving member (3) mounted on the pivot shall (41) for interacting with the swinging arm (1) through magnetorheological fluid; and a first electromagnetic component (22) and a second electromagnetic component (32), configured to change phase state of the magnetorheological fluid. The first driving member (2) and the second driving member (3) can selectively drive tire swinging arm (1) to rotate along a first direction or a second direction.

The present invention relates to a device for transferring media from an industrial robot to a tool, and an industrial robot including the device. The device comprises a swivel adapter (1) having a body (5) including a first coupling unit (7) arranged in one end of the body for coupling the swivel adapter to the robot, and second coupling unit (9) arranged in an opposite end of the body for coupling the swivel adapter to the tool, and a distance element (13) having a lower portion (15) attached to the first coupling unit and an upper portion (17) attached to the second coupling unit, wherein the first and second coupling units are spaced apart from each other along a common central axis (C1) so that a gap (11) is formed between them. The lower portion of the distance element is disposed at a distance the periphery of the first coupling unit, and the second coupling unit is provided with a penetration hole (19) in communication with the gap (11). The upper portion (17) of the distance element is arranged so that a space is formed between the upper portion of the distance element (13) and the first coupling unit (7). The penetration hole is formed between the distance element and the second coupling unit (9). The penetration hole is partly surrounding the distance element. The penetration hole extends an angle around the common central axis and in a curved direction around the distance element.

The present invention relates to a device for transferring media from an industrial robot to a tool, and an industrial robot including the device. The device comprises a swivel adapter (1) having a body (5) including a first coupling unit (7) arranged in one end of the body for coupling the swivel adapter to the robot, and second coupling unit (9) arranged in an opposite end of the body for coupling the swivel adapter to the tool, and a distance element (13) having a lower portion (15) attached to the first coupling unit and an upper portion (17) attached to the second coupling unit, wherein the first and second coupling units are spaced apart from each other along a common central axis (C1) so that a gap (11) is formed between them. The lower portion of the distance element is disposed at a distance the periphery of the first coupling unit, and the second coupling unit is provided with a penetration hole (19) in communication with the gap (11). The upper portion (17) of the distance element is arranged so that a space is formed between the upper portion of the distance element (13) and the first coupling unit (7). The penetration hole is formed between the distance element and the second coupling unit (9). The penetration hole is partly surrounding the distance element. The penetration hole extends an angle around the common central axis and in a curved direction around the distance element.

A joint includes: a motor coupled to the joint, the motor configured to move the joint; a joint side sensor configured to measure a parameter of interest of a joint side target; a motor side sensor configured to measure the parameter of interest of the motor; and a controller configured to control the motor, the controller operably connected to the joint side sensor, the controller operably connected to the motor side sensor.

A joint includes: a motor coupled to the joint, the motor configured to move the joint; a joint side sensor configured to measure a parameter of interest of a joint side target; a motor side sensor configured to measure the parameter of interest of the motor; and a controller configured to control the motor, the controller operably connected to the joint side sensor, the controller operably connected to the motor side sensor.

A purpose is to improve storability of a plurality of connection pieces coupled bendably. A robot arm mechanism includes a revolute joint and a linear extension and retraction joint. The linear extension and retraction joint includes a plurality of first connection pieces coupled bendably and provided with a hollow square cross section and a plurality of second connection pieces coupled bendably and each shaped like a flat plate. The second connection pieces are overlapped on the first connection pieces in upper part of the first connection pieces, thereby forming a columnar body by constraining bending. The columnar body is released when the first connection pieces and the second connection pieces are separated from each other. An ejection section forms the columnar body by joining the first connection pieces to the second connection pieces and supports the columnar body. The plurality of first connection pieces are coupled at an upper part and a lower part of each piece to be folded in a zigzag pattern and stored in a base with top faces of adjacent first connection pieces folded on top of each other and bottom faces of adjacent first connection pieces folded on top of each other alternately.

A purpose is to improve storability of a plurality of connection pieces coupled bendably. A robot arm mechanism includes a revolute joint and a linear extension and retraction joint. The linear extension and retraction joint includes a plurality of first connection pieces coupled bendably and provided with a hollow square cross section and a plurality of second connection pieces coupled bendably and each shaped like a flat plate. The second connection pieces are overlapped on the first connection pieces in upper part of the first connection pieces, thereby forming a columnar body by constraining bending. The columnar body is released when the first connection pieces and the second connection pieces are separated from each other. An ejection section forms the columnar body by joining the first connection pieces to the second connection pieces and supports the columnar body. The plurality of first connection pieces are coupled at an upper part and a lower part of each piece to be folded in a zigzag pattern and stored in a base with top faces of adjacent first connection pieces folded on top of each other and bottom faces of adjacent first connection pieces folded on top of each other alternately.

A purpose is to improve movement characteristics of a linear extension and retraction mechanism. A robot arm mechanism includes a revolute joint and a linear extension and retraction joint. The linear extension and retraction joint includes a plurality of first connection pieces coupled together bendably on a bottom plate side and provided with a U-shaped cross section, and a plurality of second connection pieces coupled together bendably and each shaped like a flat plate. A foremost one of the plurality of second connection pieces is connected with a foremost one of the plurality of first connection pieces. The first and second connection pieces, when overlapped each other, form a columnar body by being constrained from bending. The columnar body is relaxed when the first and second connection pieces are separated from each other. An ejection section forms the columnar body by joining together the first and second connection pieces and supports the columnar body. A linear gear is formed on a surface of a bottom plate of each of the first connection pieces. A drive gear is engaged with the linear gears of the first connection pieces overlapped to the second connection pieces in the ejection section.

A purpose is to improve movement characteristics of a linear extension and retraction mechanism. A robot arm mechanism includes a revolute joint and a linear extension and retraction joint. The linear extension and retraction joint includes a plurality of first connection pieces coupled together bendably on a bottom plate side and provided with a U-shaped cross section, and a plurality of second connection pieces coupled together bendably and each shaped like a flat plate. A foremost one of the plurality of second connection pieces is connected with a foremost one of the plurality of first connection pieces. The first and second connection pieces, when overlapped each other, form a columnar body by being constrained from bending. The columnar body is relaxed when the first and second connection pieces are separated from each other. An ejection section forms the columnar body by joining together the first and second connection pieces and supports the columnar body. A linear gear is formed on a surface of a bottom plate of each of the first connection pieces. A drive gear is engaged with the linear gears of the first connection pieces overlapped to the second connection pieces in the ejection section.