Patents Assigned to Hirata Corporation
  • Publication number: 20210094134
    Abstract: A working system includes a first work station and a second work station. The first work station includes a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, a first positioning unit, and a first work unit that carries out a predetermined work for a workpiece positioned on the first conveying unit. The second work station includes a third conveying unit, a fourth conveying unit, a second positioning unit, and a second work unit that carries out a predetermined work for the workpiece positioned on the fourth conveying unit. The third conveying unit is connected to a downstream portion of the first conveying unit, and the fourth conveying unit is connected to a downstream portion of the second conveying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi TACHIBANA
  • Patent number: 10919710
    Abstract: A distorted substrate is positioned in a predetermined position and corrected, thereby improving the substrate transfer efficiency. A transport unit capable of transporting and positioning a substrate includes a transport mechanism for transporting the substrate to an unloading position, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the substrate in the unloading position. The positioning mechanism includes a regulating member including at least two pairs of regulating portions capable of abutting against the opposing end faces of the substrate, an abutment moving mechanism for moving one regulating portion toward the other regulating portion in each of the at least two pairs of regulating portions, and a regulation moving mechanism capable of moving the regulating member in a direction in which the substrate is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi Hirasawa, Shuichi Komuro
  • Publication number: 20210039260
    Abstract: There is provided for a calibration method for an operation apparatus. The operation apparatus comprises a first moving body unit capable of pivoting about a horizontally extending axis, a first driving unit configured to drive the first moving body unit, and a first detection unit configured to detect a pivot position of the first moving body unit. The method comprises aligning the first moving body unit to one reference position selected from a plurality of predetermined reference positions, determining the reference position by comparing a driving parameter value of the first driving unit at the one reference position with determination parameter values respectively preset for the plurality of reference positions, and registering, as reference position information for calculating the pivot position, position information of the one reference position determined in the determining and detection value information of the first detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutaka TOYODA, Yutaro MARUNO
  • Publication number: 20210024337
    Abstract: A vertical moving method of a vertical moving unit on which a conveyance target object is mounted includes steps of causing a non-electric biasing unit to generate a biasing force to raise the vertical moving unit, causing an electric motor unit to generate a thrust in a direction to raise the vertical moving unit or a thrust in a direction to lower the vertical moving unit, and causing an electromagnetic brake unit to generate a braking force to resist a movement of the vertical moving unit. Independently of presence/absence of the object and a weight of the object, the thrust and/or the braking force is controlled such that the vertical moving unit stops when an external force of overload more than a predetermined value acts on the vertical moving unit during a vertical movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bungo MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210028043
    Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a transport unit configured to transport a protection material in each operation of a packing operation and an unpacking operation; a protection material placement portion on which the protection material is stacked; a container placement portion on which a container main body portion is placed; a control unit configured to control the transport unit in an operation mode selected from a plurality of operation modes corresponding to types of the protection material; an attachment determination unit configured to determine attachment/detachment of components that are selected in correspondence with the type of the protection material and form the transport unit, the protection material placement portion, and the container placement portion; and a consistency determination unit configured to determine consistency between the selected operation mode and a determination result of the attachment determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirofumi NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 10898980
    Abstract: A turntable includes a rotatably supported table, an electric cylinder, and a cam mechanism configured to convert the linear motion of the electric cylinder into the rotary motion of the table. The cam mechanism includes at least one cam groove provided on the table side, and at least one cam follower moved in parallel to the linear motion direction of the electric cylinder and configured to engage with the at least one cam groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeru Higuchi, Yuichi Iwata, Bungo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20210008675
    Abstract: An assembling apparatus places a retainer on a valve spring to surround an upper end of a valve stem. The apparatus includes an assembling head, and a moving unit configured to move the assembling head between the supply position of the retainer and an assembling position. The assembling head includes a holding unit configured to hold the retainer, and a push unit configured to push out the retainer. The push unit includes a push member supported to be able to advance/retreat along an elevating direction of the assembling head, and a biasing member configured to bias the push member in an advancing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki SUEOKA, Tsutomu NAKAUCHI, Koji KUROKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210008674
    Abstract: An assembling apparatus places a retainer on a valve spring to surround an upper end of a valve stem. The apparatus includes an assembling head, and a moving unit configured to move the assembling head between the supply position of the retainer and an assembling position. The assembling head includes a holding unit configured to hold the retainer, and a push unit configured to push out the retainer. The push unit includes a push member supported to be able to advance/retreat along an elevating direction of the assembling head, and a biasing member configured to bias the push member in an advancing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki SUEOKA, Tsutomu NAKAUCHI, Koji KUROKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210008673
    Abstract: An assembling apparatus assembles a retainer by engaging a pair of cotter pieces with a valve stem. The apparatus includes an assembling head configured to hold, in a separated state, the pair of cotter pieces in the separated state prepared by a preparation unit and engage the pair of cotter pieces with the upper end of the valve stem. The head includes a storage member including a storage chamber, and a holding unit capable of pressing the pair of cotter pieces stored in the storage chamber against the upper end of the valve stem. The storage member includes first and second abutting portions. The second abutting portion positions the valve stem in the axial direction, and the first abutting portion positions the pair of cotter pieces in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisayuki SUEOKA
  • Patent number: 10888934
    Abstract: A machining system includes a machining unit and a moving apparatus configured to move the machining unit. The machining unit includes a rotating tool for rotating about an axis in a vertical direction, an upper surface abutting member configured to be abutted against an upper surface of a work, an end face abutting member configured to be abutted against an end face of the work between an upper edge and an lower edge of the work, and a vertical moving unit configured to change a position of the upper surface abutting member in the vertical direction with respect to the rotating tool. The rotating tool includes a machining portion main body, a first machining portion provided on a lower side of the machining portion main body, and a second machining portion provided on an upper side of the machining portion main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimi Yabuta, Hirohiko Sakanashi
  • Patent number: 10858227
    Abstract: A vertical moving method of a vertical moving unit on which a conveyance target object is mounted includes steps of causing a non-electric biasing unit to generate a biasing force to raise the vertical moving unit, causing an electric motor unit to generate a thrust in a direction to raise the vertical moving unit or a thrust in a direction to lower the vertical moving unit, and causing an electromagnetic brake unit to generate a braking force to resist a movement of the vertical moving unit. Independently of presence/absence of the object and a weight of the object, the thrust and/or the braking force is controlled such that the vertical moving unit stops when an external force of overload more than a predetermined value acts on the vertical moving unit during a vertical movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bungo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10836004
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component and a component manufacturing apparatus to attach an attached part in a predetermined posture to a ring-shaped channel formed in an outer circumference of a component main body. While being held by holding portions, a ring-shaped seal body is placed in contact with a tapered portion and has its diameter expanded to at least the outer diameter of the component main body. The seal body elastically deforms from the expanded-diameter state so that its diameter reduces and is attached to the attachment channel in the outer circumferential surface of the component main body while being guided by the holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Noda
  • Patent number: 10814441
    Abstract: An assembling apparatus places a retainer on a valve spring to surround an upper end of a valve stem. The apparatus includes an assembling head, and a moving unit configured to move the assembling head between the supply position of the retainer and an assembling position. The assembling head includes a holding unit configured to hold the retainer, and a push unit configured to push out the retainer. The push unit includes a push member supported to be able to advance/retreat along an elevating direction of the assembling head, and a biasing member configured to bias the push member in an advancing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki Sueoka, Tsutomu Nakauchi, Koji Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 10799990
    Abstract: An assembling apparatus assembles a retainer by engaging a pair of cotter pieces with a valve stem. The apparatus includes an assembling head configured to hold, in a separated state, the pair of cotter pieces in the separated state prepared by a preparation unit and engage the pair of cotter pieces with the upper end of the valve stem. The head includes a storage member including a storage chamber, and a holding unit capable of pressing the pair of cotter pieces stored in the storage chamber against the upper end of the valve stem. The storage member includes first and second abutting portions. The second abutting portion positions the valve stem in the axial direction, and the first abutting portion positions the pair of cotter pieces in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisayuki Sueoka
  • Publication number: 20200312691
    Abstract: A load port includes a first pin projecting on a dock plate and provided on the dock plate so as to be pushed down, and a first detection unit provided on the base portion and configured to detect that the dock plate is located at a first position. The first detection unit includes a movable member capable of displacing in a moving direction of the dock plate, and a first sensor configured to detect the displacement of the movable member. The movable member is arranged at a position to abut against the first pin that is in a pushed down state in a process in which the dock plate moves from a second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kinya KAGAMI, Seiji MATSUDA
  • Publication number: 20200312690
    Abstract: A load port includes: a port plate; and a placing table on which a container that stores the substrate is placed. The placing table includes: a base portion; a dock plate; a support unit configured to support the dock plate such that the dock plate can move between the first position and a second position; and a cam mechanism configured to move the dock plate between the first position and the second position. The support unit includes a slider configured to move together with the dock plate. The cam mechanism includes: a driving mechanism provided on the base portion; and a cam plate which is connected to the slider and in which a cam groove is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Itsuo FUJIWARA, Yoichi MATSUSHITA
  • Publication number: 20200306991
    Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a rotation body in which at least a lower portion is a cylindrical rotated portion, a housing including a top plate portion in which the rotated portion is inserted, a driving mechanism provided in the housing and configured to rotate the rotation body, and an exhaust unit. The top plate portion of the housing comprises a circular opening in which the rotated portion is inserted, and a groove portion provided to surround the opening and communicating with the opening. The groove portion comprises, at at least one point of the groove portion in a circumferential direction, a wide portion whose groove width in a radial direction of the opening is made large. The exhaust unit is provided to communicate with the wide portion and exhausts air in the groove portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiji KANAZAWA
  • Patent number: 10775764
    Abstract: A working system includes at least one movable apparatus movable and at least one stationary apparatus. The movable apparatus includes a working unit performing a predetermined work. The stationary apparatus includes a control unit performing drive control of the working unit. A control method of the system includes: instructing, when the movable apparatus has reached a working position, the control unit of the stationary apparatus to establish communication with the working unit of the movable apparatus; updating status information indicating a communication establishment status, after the communication instruction; instructing the control unit to transmit an operation signal to the working unit in the working position; instructing the control unit to disconnect the communication, after the signal transmission instruction step; and updating the status information after the disconnection instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Shizuku, Nobuyuki Ono
  • Patent number: 10723565
    Abstract: A conveyance method of conveying a conveyance target object by loading the conveyance target object on a slider, wherein the slider is connected to a ball nut threadably engaged with a ball screw shaft, includes a step of rotating the ball screw shaft by an electric motor, a step of applying a braking force which is a rotation resistance to the ball screw shaft by a non-electric resistance changing unit, and a step of setting at least one of a driving force of the electric motor and the braking force of the resistance changing unit so that the slider will stop when a predetermined external force acts on the slider during conveyance and changes the slider to an overload state regardless of the presence/absence of the conveyance target object loaded on the slider and a weight of the conveyance target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bungo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10694647
    Abstract: A transfer unit includes a holding unit, and a driving unit configured to vertically move the holding unit. The holding unit includes a holding portion configured to hold a work, a movable portion configured to support the holding portion, a support portion configured to support the movable portion such that the movable portion is vertically displaceable, and a biasing portion configured to bias the movable portion downward with respect to the support portion. The support portion has a guide surface which guides displacement of the movable portion, and the movable portion has an abutting surface which abuts against the guide surface. Each of the guide surface and the abutting surface is a surface which tapers off upward or downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Yokoyama, Keisuke Teramoto, Shuichiro Araki