Patents Assigned to Comau S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 11780718
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to assist loading and unloading of components onto the AGV for transport by the AGV. In one example, an electric motor, two lifting devices and an inverted omega-shaped upper platform are used to selectively raise and lower the component. In another example an accessory is positioned on a central portion of the upper platform to engage a pallet to further assist loading, unloading and positioning of the pallet relative to the AGV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Andrea Ascheri, Maurizio Pollano
  • Publication number: 20230271657
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile system (100) used in an industrial plant as a mobile operator system, suitable to be easily reconfigured according to the needs of each specific application. The system (100) includes an autonomous vehicle (1), in the form of an autonomous mobile robot, and a transport carriage (10) including one or more operating units (12) configured to receive a load thereon to be transported. The autonomous vehicle (1) includes a coupling device (5) to couple the autonomous vehicle to the carriage (10) to move the carriage (10) along a path, while the weight of the load carried on the carriage (10) rests solely on the carriage (10). The autonomous vehicle (1) is configured to control the devices onboard the carriage (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Mauletti, Ivan Lazzero, Enrico Rui, Matteo Zarro, Mauro Berzano
  • Patent number: 11717073
    Abstract: A system for interfacing with an operator's body for distributing forces to the operator's body received by the system from a function unit. The system includes a frame and a plurality of contact units connected to the frame which are positioned and communicate with the operator's torso to distribute the received forces. The plurality of contact units each include a first and second support having an elastic body positioned therebetween which allows relative movement between the first and second supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Ciniello, Andrea Francesco Sola, Mauro Morbidelli
  • Patent number: 11602838
    Abstract: A process for monitoring backlash in a gear of a joint of an industrial robot, wherein said joint includes a first joint body and a second joint body coupled together with the possibility of moving with respect to one other, a motor provided with an encoder, and a motion-transmission assembly designed to transmit the torque generated by said motor to said second joint body to bring about a movement of said second joint body with respect to said first joint body, said transmission assembly comprising said gear. The process is characterized in that the signal of the encoder of the motor for driving the joint is used without providing any additional sensor specifically dedicated to monitoring of the backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Eliana Giovannitti, Nicola Campagna
  • Patent number: 11440191
    Abstract: An automated device has a movable structure covered at least in part by a sensorised covering. The sensorised covering comprises a plurality of covering modules, which includes one or more sensorised covering modules. Each sensorised covering module includes a plurality of distinct layers stacked on top of one another and including a load-bearing layer and at least one cushioning layer. Each sensorised covering module integrates at least one contact sensor device (C), which includes a first lower electrically conductive layer (61) and a second upper electrically conductive layer (63), set between which is an electrically insulating layer (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Bordegnoni, Alberto Vizio, Gabriele Cingano
  • Patent number: 11434081
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle, for example, an automated guided vehicle or an autonomous mobile robot, has a support structure having a general double-hull configuration, with two separate longitudinal hulls, parallel to each other and transversely spaced apart, and at least two bridge structures that connect the hulls to each other. The aforesaid bridge structures have ends connected to the two hulls by interposition of elastic joints, in such a way that the two hulls are free to perform differentiated oscillating movements so as to allow the front wheels and the rear wheels of the vehicle to remain in contact with the surface on which the vehicle is moving, even when this surface has irregularities and/or slope variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Mauletti, Enrico Rui, Mauro Berzano, Ivan Lazzero, Simone Romeo
  • Patent number: 11366492
    Abstract: A programmable device (D) arranged in a production environment, to assist an operator (O) in performing manual assembly operations carried out by the operator (O), particularly during assembly operations performed on pieces (P) transported by pallets (5) in a production line (1). The device (D) comprises an assembly means usable by the operator (O), a lighting device (4) for lighting a work area in which the operator (O) works, a sensor (6) configured to detect the position of the assembly means, an input device (10) usable by the operator, and an electronic control system (8) configured to memorize a learning sequence including a sequence of manual assembly operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Luca Maria Lachello
  • Patent number: 11271359
    Abstract: A laser source for industrial operations including a first laser outlet and a second laser outlet. The laser source is switchable to selectively provide at the first laser outlet a high beam quality and relative low power or at the second laser outlet with a higher power and lower beam quality to better accommodate the particular process. In one example, a selector addressing unit includes movable mirrors to selectively direct the generated laser beams to either the first laser outlet or the second laser outlet. In another example the laser source is used in an industrial plant to provide laser beams to a plurality of processing cells. The laser source operable to selectively provide a laser beam having desired or optimum qualities for the particular processing cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignees: Comau S.p.A., Prima Electro S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nunzio Magnano, Maurizio Gattiglio, Andrea Braglia
  • Patent number: 11245353
    Abstract: A system for positioning a row of photovoltaic solar panels (1) on a support structure (S) arranged in an outdoor space includes a vehicle (20) on which the photovoltaic solar panels (1) to be installed are arranged, and a manipulator robot (24) arranged on-board the vehicle (20) for sequentially picking-up one or more photovoltaic panels (1) from the vehicle, and for positioning them on said support structure (S) as the vehicle moves on one side along the support structure (S). An optoelectronic system (27) is used for automatic optical recognition of the correct position in which a photovoltaic solar panel (1) must be picked-up as well as the correct installing position of the photovoltaic solar panel (1) on the support structure (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Di Stefano, Francesco Beccarisi, Egidio De Gese
  • Patent number: 11054804
    Abstract: A portable safety control device for use with a portable electronic device to communicate with an industrial machine. The control device includes a body having gripping portion for engagement by a human hand and a supporting portion for engagement with the portable electronic device. In one example, separate enabling and emergency stop switches are positioned on the body proximate the gripping portion within reach of the hand engaged with the gripping portion, and is configured for ease of use by left or right-handed users. The supporting portion is configured and oriented to rest on the forearm of an operator. A control circuit is used to communicate with both the portable electronic device and the industrial machine controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Bordegnoni, Francesco Ciniello
  • Patent number: 10882095
    Abstract: Described herein is a new method and device for operating a hemming head of the type comprising a hemming roller (101) and a second, opposed, roller (102), which are rotatable about respective axes contained in one and the same plane. The method includes variation of the position of the second roller that is opposed to the hemming roller as a function of a signal indicating the force exerted by said second roller on the metal sheet and/or as a function of a signal indicating the position of the head along the machining path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Maestri, Valeria Serpi, Giovanni Di Stefano, Sylvain Petit, Olivier Carqueville
  • Patent number: 10877452
    Abstract: A method and device of monitoring the operating state of a processing station in an industrial plant. A plurality of limited spatial regions are defined in the station including an actuator which moves an element. Audio sensors and processing units are used to determine a first reference sequence and a second sequence of audio signals of the limited spatial regions during a work cycle. A similarity index is generated based on comparison of the reference and the second sequence which is operable to identify possible anomalies in the station operation during work cycles. In one example, the particular limited spatial region where the anomaly occurs, the actuator or element identified in the anomaly, and the time at which the anomaly occurs can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Ippolito
  • Patent number: 10762801
    Abstract: A robot device having modules that can be combined together to produce alternative devices useful for educational purposes. The robot device includes one or more frame bodies and one or more motorized joints connected to the frame bodies and in communication with a central control unit. Each motorized joint includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. Through a combination of frame bodies and motorized joints modules, alternative motorized devices can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Ciniello, Maurizio Cremonini
  • Patent number: 10695859
    Abstract: An electronically-controlled electric resistance welding head and method having a support structure and the electrodes located on the same side. The welding head including a ground electrode having an elastic device and a detecting device for detecting a force load on the elastic device on contact with a component to be welded. A welding electrode is movable relative to the ground electrode and the support structure to contact the component to be welded. An electronic control unit is operable to selectively increase the force applied by each electrode when in contact with the component to be welded until respective threshold values are achieved. Current is generated by a transformer for passage to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Gattabria, Cristina De Chirico, Carmelo Marsicovetere, Mauro Maestri, Giovanni Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 10654535
    Abstract: A system and process for gluing two components together includes measuring the temperature of one or both panels to be glued together prior to application of the glue to the panels. If the measured temperature of the panel(s) is outside a predetermined range, the system and process thermally conditions the panel(s) to bring them into the predetermined temperature range for proper adhesion and known and controlled glued panel properties for subsequent riveting of the glued panels. A control unit with predetermined reference values is in communication with the system temperature sensors and thermal conditioning devices to provide uniform gluing quality irrespective of the environmental conditions of the assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Arduino, Giovanni Di Stefano, Valeria Serpi
  • Patent number: 10654142
    Abstract: A device and method for monitoring and correcting the position and orientation of an operating device (2) with respect to a piece (P). A measuring device (5) including a plurality of sensors (505) connected to the operating device is used to measure through contactless technology the distances of the sensors from a surface (?) of the piece along respective directions (l, r, s) having given orientations. The sensor measurements are compared to predetermined desired values and the position of the operating device (2) is selectively changed to maintain a desired positional relationship between a main operative axis (X1) of the operative device and operation axis (X2) defined by the surface of the piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Di Stefano, Filippo Navarria
  • Patent number: 10577037
    Abstract: A system and process for gluing two components together includes measuring the temperature of one or both panels to be glued together prior to application of the glue to the panels. If the measured temperature of the panel(s) is outside a predetermined range, the system and process thermally conditions the panel(s) to bring them into the predetermined temperature range for proper adhesion. A control unit with predetermined reference values is in communication with the system temperature sensors and thermal conditioning devices to provide uniform gluing quality irrespective of the environmental conditions of the assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Arduino, Giovanni Di Stefano, Valeria Serpi
  • Patent number: 10512993
    Abstract: A production line including a chain conveyor for moving part transporting pallets through an electronically controlled workstation. The workstation includes an implement for use by a workstation user which is freely movable along the transport direction of the pallets within the workstation. The workstation may further include a plurality of automated drawers containing components for manual assembly operations in the workstation. The chain conveyor includes front hook and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line. When the pallet is prevented from further movement by an obstacle, the chain rear hook moves from a pallet engaged position to a position whereby an optical beam is interrupted. On interruption of the optical beam, a command signal is generated which causes the conveyor to stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Zito, Michele Giusto, Amleto Petrone, Ermanno Faccin, Ugo Ghirardi
  • Patent number: 10456931
    Abstract: Described herein is a multi-axis industrial robot, in particular of a SCARA type, wherein the arm bearing the operating unit comprises a base body and a covering body, which constitute a hermetically closed housing that contains the actuation assembly of said unit. The robot is characterized in that the arm further comprises an internal intermediate body via which the covering body can be fixed to the base body without any need to envisage direct fixing between these two bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Bordegnoni, Francesco Ciniello
  • Patent number: 10456908
    Abstract: Described herein is a multi-axial industrial robot, in particular of a SCARA type, where the base structure designed to enable installation of the robot on an external supporting structure, can be mounted according to two opposite orientations, where one orientation is upside down with respect to the other, while at the same time the operating head of the robot may instead maintain one and the same orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Bordegnoni, Francesco Ciniello