A device and method for judging the presence or absence of an abnormal clearance between paring elements of a passive joint of a robot. The device has sections configured to: calculate a score for each motion path, wherein the score is increased when the paring elements of an objective pair collide with each other and is decreased when the paring elements of the other pair collide with each other; generate a robot motion for moving the robot along the motion path having the score not lower than a predetermined threshold; measure a drive torque or a current value of a motor when the robot is moved according to the generated robot motion; calculate an index value based on a magnitude of variation of the measured drive torque or current value; and judge as to whether the abnormal clearance exists in the objective pair, based on the index value.

A device that makes it possible to make the movements of moving platforms safer and relates more particularly to a linear actuator that can be used in a hexapod positioner supporting a load is provided. The actuator is actuated by electric control and comprises at least one hydraulic damper positioned on the actuator such that the forces generated by damping in the event of extreme breakdown are experienced only by the load and are distributed such as to limit force and acceleration peaks.

A compliance unit 10 includes a support plate 11, an attaching plate 12, and a fixing disk 22 that has a cylindrical portion 24 fixed to the support plate 11, and an annular, arc surface 26 is formed in a front surface of an annular portion 25 that is provided at a tip of the cylindrical portion 24 so as to protrude radially outside the cylindrical portion. A movable plate 31 is disposed between the annular portion 25 and the support plate 11, and the movable plate 31 is fastened to the attaching plate 12. The attaching plate 12 is provided with an abutment surface 37 opposing the arc surface 26, and the attaching plate 12 is movable to a position where the abutment surface 37 abuts on the arc surface 26 and a position where the abutment surface 37 is separate from the arc surface 26 via a gap 38 between the abutment surface and the arc surface 26.

A multi-backhoe linkage mechanism, operable for rotating an output link around an output axis of rotation of an output joint at a base, includes a first closed kinematic chain, including the output link, a connecting link, and an input link. The output link is connected via the output joint to the base and via a connecting joint to the connecting link. The connecting link is connected via a bridging joint to the input link. The first closed kinematic chain additionally includes a base link connected to the base and to the input link. One or more additional closed kinematic chains are connected in a series after the first closed kinematic chain. Each additional closed kinematic chain is connected to the previous closed kinematic chain such that actuation of the additional closed kinematic chain amplifies the angle of rotation of the output link around the output axis of rotation.

There is provided a spherical mechanism robot assembly for accessing a confined space in a vehicle, to perform confined space operation(s) in the vehicle. The assembly includes a base structure configured for attachment to the vehicle. The assembly includes a spherical mechanism structure having a first end attached to the base structure, and having a second end. The spherical mechanism structure includes a plurality of mechanical links, joints coupling the plurality of mechanical links together, and a plurality of actuators having one or more actuators coupled at each joint of the plurality of joints. The assembly includes an end effector attached to the second end of the spherical mechanism structure. The assembly is configured such that a majority portion remains outside of the confined space, while a remaining portion of the assembly accesses and occupies the confined space in the vehicle, to perform the confined space operation(s) in the vehicle.

A spherical resolver system includes a spherical body, an outer body, a first sensor coil, a second sensor coil, a third sensor coil, a first primary coil, and a circuit. The spherical body has a first axis of symmetry, a second axis of symmetry, and a third axis of symmetry, and the first, second, and third axes of symmetry are disposed perpendicular to each other. The circuit is coupled to the first primary coil and is operable to supply a first alternating current (AC) reference signal (V.sub.r1) to the first primary coil, whereby a first sensor signal (V.sub.x) is selectively induced in the first sensor coil, second sensor signal (V.sub.y) is selectively induced in the second sensor coil, and a third sensor signal (V.sub.z) is selectively induced in the third sensor coil, and supplies one or more signals representative of the sensor position.

A power transmission unit of a drive mechanism has a link mechanism on both sides of a base portion. The link mechanism has a first link member having a base end portion provided to the base portion to be rotated about a third rotational axis, a second link member having a base end portion connecting the first link member's distal end portion to be rotated about a fourth rotational axis, and a third link member which is provided to a driven body to be rotated about a fifth rotational axis and to which the second link member's distal end portion is provided to be rotated about a sixth rotational axis orthogonal to the fifth rotational axis. A desired operation angle range of two degrees of freedom in a driven body can be ensured with a compact configuration while suppressing deflection of a structure to which the driven body is mounted.

A joint module has a base, a motion mechanism, a linear driving mechanism, a driving motor assembly, and a transmission. The motion mechanism, the linear driving mechanism, and the driving motor assembly are disposed on the base. The transmission is disposed between the linear driving mechanism and the driving motor assembly. A first transmitting assembly and a second transmitting assembly of the motion mechanism are disposed on the base in parallel. A first linear driving assembly and a second linear driving assembly of the linear driving mechanism are non-coaxial and are disposed on the base in parallel. A first wheel transmitting assembly of the transmission is connected to the driving motor assembly and the first linear driving assembly. A second wheel transmitting assembly of the transmission is connected to the driving motor assembly and the second linear driving assembly.

A spherical resolver system includes a spherical body, an outer body, a first sensor coil, a second sensor coil, a third sensor coil, a first primary coil, and a circuit. The spherical body has a first axis of symmetry, a second axis of symmetry, and a third axis of symmetry, and the first, second, and third axes of symmetry are disposed perpendicular to each other. The circuit is coupled to the first primary coil and is operable to supply a first alternating current (AC) reference signal (V.sub.r1) to the first primary coil, whereby a first sensor signal (V.sub.x) is selectively induced in the first sensor coil, second sensor signal (V.sub.y) is selectively induced in the second sensor coil, and a third sensor signal (V.sub.z) is selectively induced in the third sensor coil, and supplies one or more signals representative of the sensor position.

A parallel link robot includes a base unit, a movable part disposed below the base unit, a plurality of arms that connect the base unit and the movable part in parallel, and a wrist shaft that penetrates through the movable part along an axis extending in a vertical direction and is driven and rotated about the axis with respect to the movable part. A jig mount for detachably mounting a positioning jig is provided on one of an upper surface of the movable part and an upper portion of the wrist shaft exposed on the upper surface. A contact surface with which the positioning jig mounted on the jig mount makes contact is provided on the other one of the movable part and the wrist shaft, or a contact member having the contact surface can be detachably mounted onto the other one of the movable part and the wrist shaft.