Patents Assigned to Kuka
  • Method for monitoring radiation
    Patent number: 10247601
    Abstract: A method for monitoring radiation by an optical sensor which generates a signal, such as a shut-off signal, which influences the radiation when subjected to radiation. A sensor with dark current pulses is used, which are assessed as a functional capability signal of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA DETUSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Ansgar Schäfer, Lars Soeren Ott, Klaus R Goebel
  • 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
    Patent number: 10245722
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Ovidiu Zurbau
  • Control of a robot
    Patent number: 10239207
    Abstract: A method for controlling a robot having a drive arrangement with at least one drive includes determining an actual velocity of the robot, determining a target velocity for the robot, and determining a damping drive parameter based on a difference between the target velocity and the actual velocity. The target velocity is determined based on at least one of a predetermined maximum velocity, a predetermined minimum velocity, or a first distance of the robot from at least one predetermined boundary. The drive arrangement of the robot is then controlled based on the damping drive parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Rohmer, Martin Mueller-Sommer, Marc-Walter Ueberle, Gunter Schreiber, Uwe Bonin
  • Device and method for releasing an operation of a machine
    Patent number: 10239214
    Abstract: A safety control device for releasing an operation of a machine, in particular a robot, includes an input device for detecting a manual contact, in particular a finger contact. The safety control device has a retaining device for securing the input device to a finger, in particular a fingertip, of an operator, in particular in a frictional manner, and/or a signaling means for outputting a signal, in particular an optical, acoustic, tactile, thermal, and/or electric signal, if a contact force detected by the input device is smaller than a specified upper minimum value and/or for outputting a signal, in particular the same signal or a different signal, in particular an optical, acoustic, tactile, thermal, and/or electric signal, if a contact force detected by the input device is greater than a specified lower maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Zimmermann, Yevgen Kogan
  • HRC System And Method For Controlling An HRC System
    Publication number: 20190084157
    Abstract: A method for controlling a human-robot collaboration (HRC) system wherein the HRC system includes at least one manipulator having an end effector. The method includes using the end effector in a first operating mode, wherein the end effector is operated with reduced power; monitoring whether a desired object is manipulated when the end effector is used in the first operating mode; and increasing the power used to operate the end effector in order to use the end effector in a second operating mode when the monitoring indicates that the desired object is being manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicants: KUKA Systems GmbH, KUKA Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Patrick Goerg
  • Non-electric temperature-controlled basin
    Patent number: 10234219
    Abstract: A non-electric temperature-controlled basin for cooling cast parts, the basin being provided with a liquid, a level sensor, a temperature sensor, and a heat exchanger; and a method for cooling the cast parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Nico Kowarschik
  • Pressure welding device and pressure welding method using an advance drive designed as an electrohydraulic direct drive
    Patent number: 10232465
    Abstract: A pressure welding device (1) and a pressure welding method are provided. The pressure welding device (1) includes a plastification unit (5), a positioning and compressing unit (6), a controller (26), and an advance unit (7) for a workpiece (3) and for the process axis (13). The advance unit (7) has an open- or closed-loop controllable hydraulic advance drive (12) that is formed as an open- or closed-loop controllable electro-hydraulic direct drive for the process axis (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA INDUSTRIES GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Büchler, Otmar Fischer, Klaus Schneider, Thomas Hauck
  • Controlling an Automation Assembly
    Publication number: 20190077014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an automation assembly which has a robot assembly with at least one robot (10) and a detection means assembly with at least one detection means (21-23), said method having the following at least partly automated steps: providing (S10) a first sequence of first ordinate data (q1, q2, dq2/dt, ?1, ?2) assigned to successive first abscissa points (t) on the basis of first training data (q1, q2, ?1, x2); identifying (S20) a first event point (tE) within the first abscissa points of the first sequence; and determining (S30) a first event criterion on the basis of the first sequence and the first event point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Helmuth Radrich
  • Override-based, predictive speed capping
    Patent number: 10220514
    Abstract: A method for controlling a manipulator, with the method being particularly suitable for the respecting of predetermined monitoring limits. The method operates by initiating a halting movement or a speed capping based on an identified actual override trend, and is thus suitable, in particular, for path movements by means of spline interpolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Tronnier, Günther Wiedemann, Stefan Burkhart, Andreas Aurnhammer, Manfred Hüttenhofer
  • Apparatus and method for monitoring a payload handling robot assembly
    Patent number: 10213920
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a payload-handling robot assembly having at least one robot includes identifying a robot-handled payload arrangement on the basis of a current position of the robot assembly relative to a specified change position of the robot assembly. In another aspect, a robot assembly includes at least one robot, a monitoring apparatus configured to determine a current position of the robot assembly and to identify a robot-handled payload arrangement on the basis of the current position of the robot assembly relative to a specified change position of the robot assembly, and a payload receptacle for receiving a plurality of different payloads. The robot is configured for handling the plurality of payloads in an alternating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Geiler, Florian Steigenberger, Frank Roland, Uwe Bonin, Richard Rudolf
  • Operating Device for a Manipulator
    Publication number: 20190054629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating device for controlling or programming a manipulator. The manipulator has a plurality of degrees of freedom which are independent of each other. The operating device comprises a manual control lever which is configured to specify at least one two-dimensional movement of the manipulator. Preferably, the manual control lever is a joystick. The operating device also comprises an information display which is allocated to the manual control lever and comprises a plurality of independently controllable display segments. The operating device further comprises a control device which is configured to individually control the display segments of the information display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Riedel
  • Gripping device for mechanical fasteners
    Patent number: 10207313
    Abstract: A gripping device for mechanical fasteners, such as rivets, screws, bolts, and similar fasteners, and a robot effector employing such a device. The device includes a housing and a pair of jaws arranged on a holder. The pair of jaws is adapted to grip a mechanical fastener therebetween. The holder is rotatable inside of the housing and the jaws allow a self-centering of a gripped mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Systems Aerospace
    Inventor: Patrice Riotte
  • Controlling a Group of Robots
    Publication number: 20190047148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a group of robots, comprising a leading robot (10) and at least one following robot (20, 30), which cooperates with the leading robot and moves in accordance with the leading robot, wherein the absolute velocity (v10) of the leading robot and/or the absolute velocity (v20abs) of the following robot is reduced on the basis of a specified limit (vmax) such that a mutual relative velocity (V20rel) is not exceeded and therefore a safety function is not triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Linda FREMUTH, Andreas HAGENAUER
  • Assembly platform
    Patent number: 10189521
    Abstract: A flow production system, in particular an assembly and/or production line includes a conveyor for conveying a workpiece along a conveying direction of the flow production system. A platform for use in flow production includes a guiding device and a processing device, wherein the platform is designed to be moved into and out of the flow production substantially as a whole. A method for operating a flow production system or a platform includes guiding a workpiece along the platform with the guiding device and processing the workpiece with the processing device during guiding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Mayr
  • Feeder mechanism for feeding mechanical fasteners
    Patent number: 10183366
    Abstract: A feeder mechanism for feeding mechanical fasteners, such as rivets, screws, bolts and similar fasteners, as well as to a robot end effector comprising such a mechanism and a robot being equipped with such an end effector. The feeder mechanism includes a transport means for transporting mechanical fasteners and a stopping and aligning unit with a stopping plate to decelerate transported fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Systems Aerospace
    Inventors: Pierre Sarramoune, Alain Py
  • Determining An Orientation Of A Robot Relative To The Direction Of Gravity
    Publication number: 20190009410
    Abstract: A method for determining an orientation or installation of a robot relative to a direction of gravity for at least one installation location of the robot, and for horizontal alignment or alignment relative to the direction of gravity of a robot includes creating a model wherein joint forces are identified in at least one calibration pose. The robot is then into a new installation location and the joint forces of the robot are identified in at least one measuring pose. Based on the identified joint forces and the model of the robot, the orientation, i.e. the orientation or the installation, of the robot relative to the direction of gravity is determined. The orientation of the robot is corrected by tilting the robot base such that the identified joint forces do not deviate from the forces defined in the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Helmuth Radrich
  • Method and device for controlling a peripheral component of a robot system
    Patent number: 10173318
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Kurth
  • Method for the Simplified Modification of Application Programs for Controlling an Industrial Plant
    Publication number: 20180356799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the simplified modification of application programs (2<sb/>, 3<sb/>) of an industrial plant (1<sb/>), comprising the following steps: (a) providing at least one application program (2<sb />, 3<sb/>) in an industrial plant (1), wherein the at least one application program (2<sb/>3<sb/>) has a plurality of program points (P1 to P5<sb />); (b) providing at least one graphical representation (101<sb/> to 103<sb/>), wherein the at least one graphical representation (101<sb /> to 103</>) shows at least one system state of the industrial plant (1<sb/>), wherein the system state corresponds to a program point (P1 to P5<sb/>) and the graphical representation (101 to 103) is linked to at least one program point (P1<sb/> to P5<sb/>) of the at least one application program (2<sb/>, 3<sb/>); (c) executing the application program (2<sb/>, 3<sb/>) and, if the applicati
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Sedlmayr
  • Gas systems, welding systems, and methods of welding
    Patent number: 10150175
    Abstract: A gas delivery system delivers a shielding gas from a source through one or more hoses to a torch having a nozzle during welding of a workpiece. A shielding gas controller includes an inlet, an outlet, and at least one valve between the inlet and the outlet. The valve operates in response to a predetermined minimum shielding gas flow set point. The shielding gas controller operates the valve before or after a weld to change the flow of the shielding gas according to the predetermined minimum shielding gas flow set point. A method of welding includes predetermining a flow rate of a shielding gas, predetermining another flow rate of the gas, dispensing the gas at the first flow rate proximate a first weld pool during welding, and dispensing the shielding gas at the second flow rate, different from the first flow rate, during welding of another weld on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy James Nacey, Mitchel Dupon, Mike Maximiuk
  • Robot, control device for a robot, and method for operating a robot
    Patent number: 10144129
    Abstract: The invention relates to a robot, a robot control device, and a method for operating a robot. The robot includes an arm having a plurality of members following one after the other, an attaching device for attaching an end effector and drives for moving the members, and a control device connected to the drives. In another aspect, a computer program running on the control device issues a command for the robot arm to carry out an application step. At least one abort condition of the command from a plurality of abort conditions is detected, the execution of the application step is aborted on the basis of the detected abort condition, and simultaneously with the detection of the abort condition information is passed to the computer program about the abort condition on the basis of which the execution of the application step was aborted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Finkemeyer