A working device (1) using a parallel link mechanism includes: a parallel link mechanism (10) by which end effectors (4, 5) are supported so as to be changeable in posture; and posture-controlling actuators (11) which actuate the parallel link mechanism (10). In the parallel link mechanism (10), a distal-end-side link hub (13) is connected to a proximal-end-side link hub (12) via three or more link mechanisms (14) so as to be changeable in posture of the distal-end-side link hub (13) relative to the proximal-end-side link hub (12). The end effectors (4, 5) are mounted to the distal-end-side link hub (12), and includes one main end effector (4) which performs a main work on a workpiece (3) and one or multiple sub end effectors (5) which perform an auxiliary work on the workpiece (3).

An apparatus can comprise multiple links, the multiple links comprising at least a first link, a second link, a third link, and a base link, each of the multiple links comprising a rigid sheet, the first link being hingedly coupled to the second link via a first joint, the second link being hingedly coupled to the third link via a second joint, the third link being hingedly coupled to the base link via a third joint, the base link being hingedly coupled to the first link via a fourth joint. The multiple links defining at least a portion of a cylinder when the apparatus is in a stowed position, the first joint, second joint, third joint, and fourth joint being aligned parallel to each other and aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

A parallel type integrated actuator is proposed. The actuator includes: a driving unit composed of a first motor, a second motor, a third motor, and a fourth motor; a first shaft, a second shaft, and a third shaft, each shaft being inserted into each other through a hollow structure and forming a co-axis, each shaft being capable of rotating relative to each other in an inserted state, and each shaft having the other end part thereof extending outside the driving unit; an distal end part disposed outside the driving unit and on which an actuator is mounted; a first link part, a second link part, and a third link part allowing the distal end part to rotate in pitching, yawing, and rolling directions; and a universal link part connecting the fourth rotor, which is a rotor of the fourth motor, and the distal end part to each other.

A 3-axis parallel linear robot has three drivers disposed around a central axis and a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism has three linkage assemblies connected to an end effector in parallel. The three assemblies are respectively driven by the three drivers in a linear or rotary manner for enabling the end effector to linearly move in a three-dimensional space. Each linkage assembly has three linkage rods and three rotating joints. An inner angle defined between each rotating joint and an imaginary plane being perpendicular to the central axis is an acute angle. A first center distance between the first rotating joint and the second rotating joint is equal to a second center distance between the second rotating joint and the third rotating joint. The overall height of the movement mechanism is reduced for increasing the working stroke and for improving the movement stability of the 3-axis parallel linear robot.

A remote center joint 1 is configured to rotate segment 7 relative to segment 2 along axis 15. Remote center joint 1 comprises a segment 3 coupled to base segment 2 along axis 16. Segment 4 is coupled to segment 3 about axis 17 intersecting axis 16 at first point 22. Segment 4 is coupled to segment 7 about axis 18 intersecting first point 22. Segment 5 is coupled to segment 2 about axis 19 parallel to axis 16. Segment 5 is geared to segment 3. Segment 6 is coupled to segment 5 about axis 20 intersecting axis 19 at second point 23. Segment 6 is coupled to segment 7 along axis 21 intersecting second point 23. Segment 6 is geared to segment 4. Axis 15 of rotation of terminal segment 7 relative to segment 2 connects first point 22 and second point 23.

A link actuation apparatus includes: a parallel link mechanism including a proximal-side link hub, a distal-side link hub, and three or more link mechanisms each coupling the distal-side link hub to the proximal-side link hub such that a posture of the distal-side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal-side link hub; posture control drive sources; and a control device. The control device includes an abnormality detector including: a measurement section configured to measure a predetermined state value which is affected by abnormality in revolute pair parts of a link actuation apparatus body constituted by the parallel link mechanism and the posture control drive sources; and a determination section configured to determine if any of the revolute pair parts has abnormality in on the basis of a measurement result obtained by the measurement section. For example, the measurement section measures rigidity, or driving torque or the like.

A two-degree-of-freedom parallel robot with a spatial kinematic chain includes a fixed platform, a movable platform, two driving devices, and two branch chains. Each driving device includes an active arm and a driving unit, and the two active arms are in the same reference plane. An end bracket is hinged on the active arm. Each branch chain includes two shaft rods and two chain rods. One of the two shaft rods is arranged on the active arm or the end bracket, and the other one thereof is arranged on the movable platform. The two chain rods and the two shaft rods form a parallelogram.

In the link operating device, a distal-end-side link hub is connected to a proximal-end-side link hub so as to be changeable in position relative thereto via at least three link mechanisms. Each link mechanism includes a proximal-side end link member, a distal-side end link member, and a center link member. Position-controlling actuators and speed reduction mechanisms are provided to two or more of the link mechanisms. The proximal-side end link member includes a bent portion and a pair of rotational connection bodies disposed at one end of the bent portion. The speed reduction mechanism is disposed between the pair of rotational connection bodies, and includes an output shaft fixed to one of the rotational connection bodies, and an input shaft rotatably supported by the other one of the rotational connection bodies.

In a link actuating device, a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms. A posture control drive source configured to arbitrarily change the posture of the distal end side link hub is provided to each of two or more link mechanisms. The link actuating device includes a storage unit configured to store therein an operating position of the posture control drive source when the distal end side link hub is in a defined posture. In each of the two or more link mechanisms, a positioning portion is provided to at least one of the proximal side end link member, the distal side end link member, and the intermediate link member. A positioning member configured to position the distal end side link hub in the defined posture is dismountably mounted between a plurality of the positioning portions.

A parallel link mechanism includes three or more link mechanisms that couple a fixed base and an end-effector base. The end-effector base has a facing surface facing the fixed base. The link mechanisms each include a proximal-end joint, a proximal link, an intermediate joint, a distal link, and a distal-end joint. The proximal-end joint is rotatably coupled to the fixed base. The proximal link is coupled to the proximal-end joint. The intermediate joint is provided to the proximal link. The distal link is rotatably coupled to the proximal link via the intermediate joint. The distal-end joint rotatably couples the distal link to the end-effector base. The point of intersection at which the extensions of the axes of rotation of the proximal-end joints, the extensions of the axes of rotation of the intermediate joints, and the extensions of the axes of rotation of the distal-end joints intersect is the center of rotation of the end-effector base. The center of rotation of the end-effector base is positioned in a first direction with respect to the facing surface.