Patents Assigned to Kuka Roboter GmbH
  • Industrial robot with a trailing stop
    Patent number: 8763488
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot, having a multiple-axis robot arm, with a base, a carousel that is rotatably supported relative to the base in reference to an axis and a mechanical stop device provided to limit a rotary motion of the carousel relative to the base. The stop device has a slider situated on the base, with stops situated at its ends, a trailing stop situated in the slider and a drive dog situated on the carousel. The drive dog and the slider are designed so that the drive dog is introduced into the slider by a corresponding rotary motion of the carousel relative to the axis and pushes the trailing stop against the relative stop. The trailing stop includes a plastically deformable damping element, which is provided to brake the carousel due to a plastic deformation caused by the trailing stop being pushed against the relevant stop by the drive dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Reekers
  • ROBOT ARM
    Publication number: 20140165771
    Abstract: The invention is concerning a robotic arm that features several consecutive mobile links and motors associated with axes relative to one another for the moving of the links. At least one of the links is selectively mountable in at least two configurations relative to its adjacent links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Roth
  • Method For Testing The Plausability Of Output Signals Of A Resolver
    Publication number: 20140148948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing the plausibility of output signals (u1, u2) of a resolver (21), by means of which an angular position of two elements (3-7) of a machine (R) can be determined in relation to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Hagenauer
  • Electronic Power Circuit, Electric Motor, And Procedure For Checking The Operability Of An Electronic Power Circuit
    Publication number: 20140112037
    Abstract: An electronic power circuit, electrical machine and a method for verifying the functionality of an electronic power circuit. The invention relates to an electronic power circuit, an electrical machine with the electronic power circuit and a method for verifying the functionality of the electronic power circuit. The electronic power circuit comprises a power unit with at least one power semi-conductor switch, which is equipped to generate a pulsed electrical voltage for an electrical consumer from an electrical voltage on the basis of an alternating powering on and off of the at least one power semiconductor switch, and control electronics equipped to control the power semiconductor switch for the alternating powering on and off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Langhans, Sebastian Zehetbauer
  • Cable protection device for an industrial robot and industrial robot with such a cable protection device
    Patent number: 8642888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conducting line protection device for an industrial robot having at least one power line, having a basic ring section, a hollow cylinder section whose diameter is matched to an inside diameter of a pipe component of the industrial robot that rotates relative to the conducting line protection device, an inner edge rounding section whose rounding radius is matched to a diameter of the power line, and a radial bearing section for rotatable support of the conducting line protection device relative to the pipe component of the industrial robot. The invention also relates to an industrial robot having such a conducting line protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Karlinger, Rainer Krumbacher
  • Hand-held device and method for detecting the spatial position of a working point of a manipulator
    Patent number: 8645098
    Abstract: According to the present invention a portable hand-held device (1) for detecting the spatial position of a working point of a manipulator, in particular of a robot, comprises handling means (2, 3) for handling the hand-held device by a user, means for detecting a position (4), wherein a spatial position of the means for detecting a position (4) is detectable; and a tactile element (5) which is connected, preferably detachably connected, to the means for detecting a position and at which a reference point (R) is defined, wherein the handling means (2, 3) and the means for detecting a position (4) are connected with one another by a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Hietmann, Andreas Sedlmayr
  • Computerized method for loading a load carrier with packages
    Patent number: 8615386
    Abstract: In a computerized method, and a computer-readable medium encoded with programming instructions for implementing the method, multiple layers of packages stacked on a load carrier are virtually constructed in a computer and, for each of the layers, an automatic determination is made with regard to the additive pressure that each layer exerts on the respective layers therebelow in the stack. The packages are organized in the multiple layers in the virtual construction dependent on predetermined constraints for the respective additive pressures, and the virtual construction is made available at an output of the computer in a form allowing the actual loading of the load carrier with the packages to be guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Julian Haselmayr
  • Method and device for automated palletizing of packages
    Patent number: 8615321
    Abstract: In a method for automated palletizing of packages, in particular by means of a manipulator, packages are arranged on the edge of a loading area and, if possible, a virtual initial layer of multiple packages is initially generated and this layer is then centered relative to the loading area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Julian Haselmayr
  • Robot Arm With An Adjustment Device
    Publication number: 20130305868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a robot arm of an industrial robot. The robot arm includes a flange provided to secure an end effector and several sequentially-positioned members connected by means of links, of which one of the members is mounted immediately before the flange, and the flange is mounted to rotate with respect to an axis relative to this member. To adjust the flange with respect to the member mounted immediately before the flange, the robot arm comprises an adjustment device that includes a base carrier is detachably attachable to the flange particularly by means of screws, with an adjustment means disposed on the base carrier that interacts with a counter-adjustment means disposed on the member mounted immediately before the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Liebl, Gernot Nitz
  • Industrial Robot With A Ring-Shaped Trailing Stop
    Publication number: 20130305866
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot which comprises a robot arm having multiple connecting links that are connected by means of joints, in which at least two adjacent connecting links, respectively, are connected by means of a joint, which is designed as a swivel joint, can be adjusted by means of a motor and is defined in its maximum rotatable adjustment angle by means of a mechanical stop device, which connecting links comprise a stop projection which is connected to one of the two adjacent connecting links, an engaging piece which is connected to the other one of the two adjacent connecting links and a drag stop which can be adjusted by the engaging piece, which drag stop comprises a drag stop body and an annular body which is connected with the drag stop body which is pivoted in an annular groove in an inner wall of a housing component of one of the two adjacent connecting links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Krumbacher, Franz Liebl, Christoph Groll
  • Method and automated manipulator system for palletizing packages dependent on a grip position of the packages
    Patent number: 8583277
    Abstract: In a method for palletizing packages using an automated manipulator, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with programming instructions for implementing the method, a sequence of grip positions is designated for accepting packages with the automated manipulator, and a supply of provided packages is automatically checked with regard to the grip positions of the packages in the supply. The supplied packages are palletized according to a predetermined initial palletizing pattern as long as the packages are supplied in the grip positions in the sequence. The packages are palletized by the manipulator according to an alternate palletizing pattern, different from the initial palletizing pattern, in the event that a package is not supplied to the manipulator in a grip position in the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kuehnemann, Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge
  • Method And Apparatus For Setting and Controlling A Manipulator Process
    Publication number: 20130282177
    Abstract: According to a method according to the invention for designating and/or controlling a manipulator process for a manipulator configuration (1, 2, 3) having at least one manipulator, in particular, an industrial robot, wherein the manipulator process exhibits a given oriented manipulator track for the manipulator configuration, at least one action by the manipulator configuration can be designated, or shall be executed, respectively, in particular, differently, in relation to a reverse movement running counter to the oriented manipulator track, and/or a return movement running in the same direction as the oriented manipulator track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Wiedemann, Andreas Hagenauer, Manfred Huettenhofer, Martin Weiss
  • Telepresence System
    Publication number: 20130282179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a telepresence system (1) with a human-machine interface (2), and with a teleoperator (3) designed to communicate bid sectionally with the human-machine interface (2) via a communications channel (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Jacob, Marc-Walter Ueberle, Thomas Neff, Martin Kuschel, Tobias Ortmaier
  • Robot System Comprising A Robot And Two Devices That Can Be Connected To Said Robot In An Alternating Manner, And Method For Changing Said Devices
    Publication number: 20130274918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing devices (W1, D1; W2, D2) which are connected to a robot (R) and which communicate with a robot application (APP), having the following steps: S2: detecting a disconnection of a communication with a first device (W1, D1); S3: removing an address entry (“MAC1/IP1”) for the first device from a communication index (ARP); S4: establishing communication with a second device (W2, D2); and S5: generating an address entry (“MAC2/IP1”) for the second device in the communication index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Ovidiu Zurbau
  • Apparatus and method for receiving and transferring glass substrate plates
    Patent number: 8550765
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring and accepting glass substrate plates includes a double fork gripper having two superimposed, individual fork grippers that are movable relative to one another perpendicular to their extension planes. The fork grippers may be inserted simultaneously therewith into a receiving station having at least two depositing planes so that relative movement of the individual fork grippers perpendicular to their extension planes transfers a glass substrate plate to the receiving station and receives another plate from the receiving station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Cottone, Martin Peghini
  • Method and system for depalletizing tires using a robot
    Patent number: 8538579
    Abstract: In a method and system for depalletizing tires using a robot, wherein the tires are randomly located on a carrier, the position and orientation of outer tires on the carrier are detected using a sensor, and a processor, using a signal from the sensor, determines a tire that can be gripped by a gripping tool of an industrial robot, and calculates a movement path for the gripping tool for that tire. If the calculated path is not collision-free, another tire from among the outer tires is selected, and a movement path for depalletizing that tire is determined. The procedure is repeated until a collision-free movement path for a tire from among the outer tires is established. The gripping tool is then guided according to this collision-free movement path to depalletize the tire having the collision-free path associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Cottone, Thorsten Eberhardt, Sven Heissmeyer, Alexander Hollinger, Martin Peghini
  • Method And Device For Controlling A Peripheral Component Of A Robot System
    Publication number: 20130238132
    Abstract: In a method according to the invention for controlling a peripheral component (1) of a robot system (2), a power output, in particular a force, of the peripheral component is adjusted on the basis of an ascertained force (F1; m3g+m3d(x3)2/dt2), said force acting dependent on at least one robot pose, in particular a robot path (x3(t)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Kurth
  • Manipulator having a counterweight device comprising cantilevered arms
    Patent number: 8528439
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulator (1) comprising a plurality of members (12, 14) connected to each other by joints (A1-A6) that can be adjusted by drives (M1-M6), and a counterweight device (15) associated with one of the joints (A1-A6) and comprising a rod (19) coupled to a first member (12) connected to the joint (A1-A6) on one side and connected to a spring device (26) supported on a seat (25) on the other side, said seat being coupled to a second member (14) connected to the joint (A1-A6) by means of at least one bearing arrangement (18), comprising a first bearing component (17) and a second bearing component (16) connected to the second member (14). The seat (25) is connected to the first bearing component (17) by means of at least one cantilevered arm (23, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Markert
  • Mobile Robot
    Publication number: 20130226340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile robot, exhibiting an omnidirectional wheeled support vehicle (1) having numerous omnidirectional wheels (13) and drives for driving the omnidirectional wheels (13), a robot arm (2), exhibiting numerous, successively disposed links (3-7) and drives for moving the links (3-7), and a positioning device (17), designed to position the robot arm (2), which can be automatically moved on the support vehicle (1), in relation to the support vehicle (1), and a drive dedicated to the positioning device (17) for moving the robot arm (2) in relation to the support vehicle (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventor: KUKA Roboter GmbH
  • Method And Apparatus For Implementing A Manipulator Process
    Publication number: 20130218332
    Abstract: A method for executing a manipulator process with at least two manipulator poses with a manipulator, in particular a robot, wherein the manipulator comprises at least one drive means having a motor and a brake, comprising the steps of: (S10) Assuming a manipulator pose; (S20) Stopping at least one drive means; (S30) Closing at least one brake of this drive means; (S40) Reduction of the energy supply to the drive means; (S50) Increasing the energy supply to the drive means; (S60) Opening the closed brake; (S70) Assuming another manipulator pose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventor: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH