Patents by Inventor Naoya Konagai

Naoya Konagai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11072066
    Abstract: 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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya Konagai, Hiroshi Isobe
  • Patent number: 10890236
    Abstract: An operation method for a link actuating device provided with a target value input unit having a height direction target value input portion that allows input of a movement amount in a height direction or a coordinate position in the height direction, which causes the distal end posture of the link actuating device to be changed only in the height direction along a central axis of a proximal end side link hub. An input converter is provided to calculate, by using an inputted value, a target distal end posture of the link actuating device. The input converter further calculates a command operation amount of each actuator from the result of the calculation, and inputs the command operation amount to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Sakata, Yukihiro Nishio, Hiroshi Isobe, Naoya Konagai, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20190376584
    Abstract: An operation method for a link actuating device provided with a target value input unit having a height direction target value input portion that allows input of a movement amount in a height direction or a coordinate position in the height direction, which causes the distal end posture of the link actuating device to be changed only in the height direction along a central axis of a proximal end side link hub. An input converter is provided to calculate, by using an inputted value, a target distal end posture of the link actuating device. The input converter further calculates a command operation amount of each actuator from the result of the calculation, and inputs the command operation amount to the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo SAKATA, Yukihiro Nishio, Hiroshi Isobe, Naoya Konagai, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 10443693
    Abstract: An operation device for a link actuating device (51) is provided with a target value input unit (57) having a height direction target value input portion (57z) that allows input of a movement amount in a height direction or a coordinate position in the height direction, which causes the distal end posture of the link actuating device (51) to be changed only in the height direction along a central axis of a proximal end side link hub (12). Input converter (58) is provided to calculate, by using an inputted value, a target distal end posture of the link actuating device (51). The Input converter (58) further calculates a command operation amount of each actuator (53) from the result of the calculation, and inputs the command operation amount to the control device (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Sakata, Yukihiro Nishio, Hiroshi Isobe, Naoya Konagai, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 10406677
    Abstract: In this parallel link mechanism, a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms such that the posture of the distal end side link hub can be altered relative to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes proximal side and distal side end link members and an intermediate link member. Each end link member includes: a curved member curved by an arbitrary angle; and a rotation shaft support member fixed to one end of or each of opposite ends of the curved member, and configured to support a rotation shaft rotatably coupled directly or via a bearing to the intermediate link member or the link hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Naoya Konagai, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 10391641
    Abstract: A combination link actuation device has two link actuation devices combined with each other. Each link actuation device is provided so as to connect a distal end side link hub to a proximal end side link hub such that an orientation of the distal end side link hub is changed relative to the proximal end side link hub through three link mechanisms aligned in a circumferential direction. An orientation controlling actuator is provided in two or more link mechanisms among the three link mechanisms to optionally change an orientation of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub. At least one circumferential separation angle among separation angles of the three link mechanisms is greater than 120°. The two link actuation devices are disposed such that portions, of the link mechanisms, where the separation angle is greater than 120° oppose each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya Konagai, Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Naoki Marui, Kenzou Nose
  • Publication number: 20190152046
    Abstract: 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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya KONAGAI, Hiroshi ISOBE
  • Publication number: 20180207810
    Abstract: A combination link actuation device has two link actuation devices combined with each other. Each link actuation device is provided so as to connect a distal end side link hub to a proximal end side link hub such that an orientation of the distal end side link hub is changed relative to the proximal end side link hub through three link mechanisms aligned in a circumferential direction. An orientation controlling actuator is provided in two or more link mechanisms among the three link mechanisms to optionally change an orientation of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub. At least one circumferential separation angle among separation angles of the three link mechanisms is greater than 120°. The two link actuation devices are disposed such that portions, of the link mechanisms, where the separation angle is greater than 120° oppose each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya KONAGAI, Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo SAKATA, Naoki MARUI, Kenzou NOSE
  • Publication number: 20180200826
    Abstract: An automatic welding machine includes a link actuator in which a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms and the position of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub can be arbitrarily changed. The automatic welding machine is provided with one or more linear motion actuators configured to cause the proximal end side link hub of the link actuator to advance/retract relative to a mount along respective axes, and a welding torch is mounted on the distal end side link hub. The automatic welding machine further includes a movement mechanism on which peripheral devices connected to the welding torch via cables are mounted so as to be movable in one or more axial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya KONAGAI, Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo SAKATA, Hiroyuki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20170268640
    Abstract: An operation device for a link actuating device (51) is provided with a target value input unit (57) having a height direction target value input portion (57z) that allows input of a movement amount in a height direction or a coordinate position in the height direction, which causes the distal end posture of the link actuating device (51) to be changed only in the height direction along a central axis of a proximal end side link hub (12). Input converter (58) is provided to calculate, by using an inputted value, a target distal end posture of the link actuating device (51). The Input converter (58) further calculates a command operation amount of each actuator (53) from the result of the calculation, and inputs the command operation amount to the control device (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo SAKATA, Yukihiro NISHIO, Hiroshi ISOBE, Naoya KONAGAI, Hiroyuki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20170014994
    Abstract: In this parallel link mechanism, a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms such that the posture of the distal end side link hub can be altered relative to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes proximal side and distal side end link members and an intermediate link member. Each end link member includes: a curved member curved by an arbitrary angle; and a rotation shaft support member fixed to one end of or each of opposite ends of the curved member, and configured to support a rotation shaft rotatably coupled directly or via a bearing to the intermediate link member or the link hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Naoya Konagai, Hiroyuki Yamada