Patents Assigned to Flexiv Ltd.
  • Patent number: 11913849
    Abstract: A multi-degree of freedom (DOF) force and torque sensor is provided. The multi-DOF force and torque sensor includes a first rigid plate, a second rigid plate, multiple elastic elements connected between the first and second rigid plates, and multiple signal pairs connected between the first and second rigid plates. The signal pairs are used for detecting relative displacements of the first and second rigid plates in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Flexiv Ltd., Shanghai Flexiv Robotics Technology Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Jiang, Shuhan Li, Shiquan Wang, Ran An, Xuesen Li
  • Patent number: 11892042
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake mechanism, a joint actuator and a robot. The brake mechanism includes a friction member configured to be fixed to a rotor of the motor, a brake member abutting against one side of the friction member, a pushing member abutting against the other side of the friction member and configured to provide an adjustable pushing force to the brake member, a locking mechanism configured to prevent the brake member from rotating according to a brake command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Ran An, Juncai Peng
  • Patent number: 11833666
    Abstract: A method for assembling an operating member and an adapting member by a robot is provided. According to the method, the operating member is moved to the adapting member in an assembly direction until the operating member reaches the adapting member. A moving mode for adjusting the operating member is determined, in which the moving mode includes one or both of a moving-in-plane mode and a posture-adjusting mode. The operating member is moved in the determined moving mode and applied a force continuously in the assembly direction during movement. It is determined whether a preset condition for a completion of the assembling of the operating member and the adapting member is satisfied. And the movement of the operating member in the determined moving mode is stopped or the applied force is stopped when it is determined that the preset condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Feijian Ni, Shuyun Chung
  • Patent number: 11731263
    Abstract: The present application provides a brake apparatus for a rotating component, a robot joint and a robot including the same. The brake apparatus includes: a locking component including a locking end provided with a first magnet; and a brake component including a mounting portion connected to the rotating component and a plurality of brake ends provided on the mounting portion along a circumferential direction of the mounting portion. Each of the plurality of brake ends is provided with a second magnet. A side of the first magnet facing the brake component is configured to have same polarity as sides of the second magnets facing the locking component. A distance from the first magnet to a rotary axis of the rotating component is substantially the same as distances from the second magnets to the rotary axis of the rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Vikranth Reddy Kattakuri, Ran An
  • Patent number: 11724396
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improved control of robotic arms are presented. In one embodiment, a method is presented that includes predefining a plurality of motion primitives, which may include one or more preconditions and effects. A target state for a plurality of workpieces may be determined as well as an initial state of the plurality of workpieces. A sequence of operations may be generated based on the preconditions and/or effects of the motion primitives, as well as the target state and the initial state. Executing the sequence of operations may be capable of changing the plurality of workpieces from the initial state to the target state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Aditya Bhat, Shuyun Chung
  • Patent number: 11446825
    Abstract: A method, system, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium are provided for estimating a direction of gravity with respect to a robot. The method includes rotating a first joint. A first torque information of the first joint is recorded during rotation of the first joint. A second joint is then rotated. A second torque information of the second joint is recorded during rotation of the second joint. The direction of gravity is then estimated with respect to the robot based on the first torque information and the second torque information. The method provides an efficient way for determining the direction of gravity with respect to the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Shuyun Chung, Xingchi He, Kenneth Chao
  • Patent number: 11433556
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gripper of a robot and a robot including the same. The gripper may include a case, a plurality of fingers rotatably connected to the case, and a plurality of connecting rods. A first end of each of the connecting rods may be connected to a respective one of the fingers. The gripper may also include a driving assembly connected to a second end of each of the connecting rods, and the driving assembly may be configured to drive the second end of each of the connecting rods to move along a moving direction so as to drive the plurality of finger to rotate. The gripper may further include a force detecting assembly connected to the case and the driving assembly, which may be configured to limit a position of the driving assembly along the moving direction and to detect a force from the driving assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Shiquan Wang, Ran An
  • Patent number: 11426874
    Abstract: Methods and systems for insertion mounting workpieces are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes acquiring a position of the second fitting part of the receiving component, moving the first fitting part of the workpiece towards the second fitting part of the receiving component until the workpiece is in contact with the receiving component, and rotating the workpiece while pressing the workpiece towards the receiving component. The implementation of the present disclosure may be applied for various types of workpieces and receiving components and may overcome minor deviations of positions between the workpiece and the receiving component during the insertion operation, thereby improving the efficiency of the insertion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Shuyun Chung, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 11346410
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake mechanism, a joint actuator and a robot. The brake mechanism includes a friction member configured to be fixed to a rotor of the motor, a brake member abutting against one side of the friction member, a pushing member abutting against the other side of the friction member and configured to provide an adjustable pushing force to the brake member, a locking mechanism configured to prevent the brake member from rotating according to a brake command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Ran An, Juncai Peng
  • Patent number: 11345049
    Abstract: A grasping mechanism includes a base and at least two linkage grasping assemblies. Each linkage grasping assembly includes a grasping member, a first rod and a second rod. The grasping member includes a grasping portion and a connecting portion. The first rod has a first end rotatably connected to the connecting portion and a second end rotatably connected to the base. The second rod has a first end rotatably connected to the connecting portion and a second end rotatably connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Ran An, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 11345043
    Abstract: An axial force sensor, a robot gripper and a robot are provided. The axial force sensor includes a sensing diaphragm and at least two signal pairs. The sensing diaphragm includes an inner ring, an outer ring and a connecting element connected between the inner ring and the outer ring. The connecting element is more compliant in a direction of the axial force to be detected than in other loading directions. Each signal pair includes a signal emitter and a signal receiver. The signal emitter is coupled to one of the inner ring and the outer ring. The signal receiver is coupled to the other of the inner ring and the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Flexiv Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Jiang, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 11287340
    Abstract: A multi-axis force and torque sensor and a robot are provided. The sensor includes a first supporting element, a second supporting element, a deformable component connected between the first supporting element and the second supporting element, and multiple signal pairs. The deformable component is configured to deflect in response to applied external force and torque in multiple directions. Each of the multiple signal pairs includes a magnet and a hall effect detector. The magnet is mounted on one of the first supporting element and the second supporting element, and the hall effect detector is mounted on the other. The hall effect detector is located corresponding to the respective magnet. One or more magnetization directions of the magnets of the signal pairs are different such that the signal pairs are capable of measuring force and torque applied on the first supporting element and the second supporting element in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Hao Jiang, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 11260538
    Abstract: A teaching system for a robot is provided, including a motion bar for controlling the robot and a robot system utilizing the teaching system. In one embodiment, the teaching system is provided including a first controller configured to provide motion-related control functions for controlling motion of the robot. The teaching system may also include a second controller configured to provide control functions other than the motion-related control functions for programming one or more actions of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Flexiv Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiquan Wang, Xuesen Li
  • Patent number: 11167433
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a sealing apparatus for a robot and an articulated robot utilizing the sealing apparatus. In one embodiment, the sealing apparatus includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure. The second enclosure may be rotatably connected to the first enclosure such that the first enclosure and the second enclosure cooperatively define a gap between the first enclosure and the second enclosure. The sealing apparatus may further include a seal disposed in the gap such that the seal and the second enclosure cooperatively define a chamber. The sealing apparatus also includes an elastomer disposed in the chamber. The elastomer may be compressed by the seal and the second enclosure to generate an elastic force that presses the seal against the first enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Flexiv Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuesen Li, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 11167426
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a fibrillar, directional adhesive assembly, a gripper, and a robot including a gripper. In one embodiment, the fibrillar, directional adhesive assembly includes a carriage, a layer of fibrillar, directional adhesive, and at least one load component. The carriage may have a first lateral side and a second lateral side adjacent to the first lateral side and the at least one load component may connect the layer of fibrillar, directional adhesive to the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The load component may be capable of loading shear force from the carriage to the layer of fibrillar, directional adhesive along a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Flexiv Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Jiang, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 10933542
    Abstract: An industrial robot and a robot are provided. The industrial robot may include a number of links, a number of actuators connected by the links, a number of light devices and a controller. Each light device may be arranged around the respective actuator and between two adjacent links. The controller may be utilized to control each light device to indicate the state of the respective actuator. Since the light device is arranged around the actuator, a user of the robot may observe the light device at any position relative to the robot. Thus, the user may easily learn the state of the actuators of the robot based on the lighting of the corresponding light device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Flexiv Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuyun Chung, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: 10933535
    Abstract: A gripper and a robot are provided. The gripper may include a shell and at least two finger assemblies. The finger assemblies are utilized to grasp an object on two opposite sides of the object. Each finger assembly may include a connecting rod, a pad portion and a layer of synthetic fibrillar adhesive. The connecting rod may be movably connected to the shell. The pad portion may be connected to the connecting rod, and the connecting rod may move the pad portion towards the object under a driving force. The layer of synthetic fibrillar adhesive may be attached to the pad portion. Microfibers of the layer of synthetic fibrillar adhesive may be inclined away from the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Flexiv Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Jiang, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: D921733
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Flexiv Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuesen Li, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: D929949
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Shanghai Flexiv Robotics Technology Co., Ltd., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Xuesen Li, Yan Tan, Mengshen Wu, Shuyun Chung, Shiquan Wang
  • Patent number: D1009959
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Shanghai Flexiv Robotics Technology Co., Ltd., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Xuesen Li, Maozhi Liu, Shiquan Wang