Patents Assigned to Kuka
  • Patent number: 9030492
    Abstract: A method for overlaying AR objects on an environmental image representing the environment includes recording a depth image of the environment from a point of vision; modifying the representation of an AR object to be placed in the environmental image in terms of how it appears from the point of vision at a pre-defined spot in the environmental image; determining how the parts of the AR object facing the point of vision are arranged in relation to an associated image point of the depth image, from the point of vision; modifying at least the representation of parts of the AR object in a pre-determined manner in relation to the apparent depth in the image; and overlaying the processed AR object on the environmental image. A device for overlaying AR objects on an environmental image displaying the environment operates according to the method steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Bischoff, Arif Kazi
  • Publication number: 20150104284
    Abstract: Method for the manipulation of objects by means of at least two industrial robots, and associated industrial robot. An industrial robot and method for manipulating objects using at least two industrial robots. Each robot includes a manipulator arm having multiple links arranged one after another in series and connected by adjustable joints that are adjustable under the control of at least one control device. A first manipulator arm has a first end link, and at least one second manipulator arm has a second end link. The method includes gripping the object using the first manipulator arm such that the object is connected to the first end link, and coupling a link of the at least one second manipulator arm to a link of the first manipulator arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: KUKA LABORATORIES GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Riedel
  • Publication number: 20150105798
    Abstract: A robotic surgery system includes a robot and an instrument assembly. The instrument assembly includes a drive unit with at least one rotary drive having an electric motor and a drive shaft that has a coupling part for coupling to a drive shaft of the instrument; an instrument including an instrument shaft and a drive shaft that has a coupling part for coupling to a drive shaft of the drive unit; and an instrument interface including a sheath that encompasses the drive unit. In order to detachably couple an instrument module to an instrument part of a surgical instrument, an electromagnet in a magnet assembly of the instrument module is activated or deactivated, a permanent magnet of said magnet assembly is moved into a locking position and/or an angular position of a coupled counter element assembly of the instrument part is detected by an angle sensor of the instrument module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: KUKA LABORATORIES GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Lohmeier, Wolfgang Schober
  • Patent number: 9003918
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Liebl, Gernot Nitz
  • Patent number: 9008837
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a robot model (17) of an industrial robot (1) which has a robotic arm (2) having a plurality of successive limbs (3-8) which are adjustable by means of drives (11-16) via transmissions (5) in relation to axes (A1-A2), controlled by a control device (10) of the industrial robot (1). According to the invention, the robotic arm (2) is moved in a plurality of poses. At least one of the limbs (4) is moved in the same first movement direction (18) by means of the drive (11) thereof at least upon approaching the individual poses. In order to obtain the robot model (17), the robotic arm (2) is measured at each of the poses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Dietmar Tscharnuter, Wolfgang Michel, Rene Rossig, Michael Muller
  • Patent number: 8987040
    Abstract: A production device (2) and a method for forming multilayered (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) modules, in particular solar modules (1), which have at least one translucent sheet-like layer (3, 6) and at least one solar- or light-active element is provided. The production device (2) forms the layer structure and has an applicator (33) for a connecting layer (5, 7) for the aforementioned layers (3, 4, 6). Furthermore, the device has a controllable curve(arch)-forming device (17) for bending and rolling a sheet-like layer (3, 6) while the layers are being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Kuka Systems GmbH, Dirk Albrecht
    Inventors: Dirk Albrecht, Jürgen Liepert, Michael Büchler, Rudolf Huber, Thomas Kugler, Peter Kiemstedt
  • Patent number: 8983786
    Abstract: A method for referencing a drive position of an electric drive of a gripper half of a production gripper in a closed position of two gripper halves includes closing the open gripper halves, determining multiple actual positions of an electric drive and tracking error values of the electric drive in a time interval during the closing of the gripper halves until beyond a point in time in which the closed position is reached, determining a straight line based on the ascertained tracking error values depending on a related time-tracking-error function, determining the instant of the zero crossing of the straight line of the time-tracking-error function, and determining the actual position of the electric drive that corresponds to the instant of the zero crossing of the straight line of the time-tracking-error-function. A production gripper and a respective control device for operating the production gripper are set up to carry out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Pecher
  • Patent number: 8972062
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mounting a component, which comprises an insertion part and a holding part, in an opening in a workpiece by means of an industrial robot, which has an end effector, which guides the component on the holding part thereof. The method according to the invention is implemented by causing the insertion part of the component to approach the opening by moving the industrial robot; increasing the process forces by means of the industrial robot, once the insertion part of the component has made contact with the workpiece, until a process force threshold is reached, wherein the process forces are stored particularly in the form of material stresses; increasing the flexibility of the industrial robot when the process force threshold is reached; and executing a passive centering movement of the industrial robot based upon the process forces that are released by a relaxation of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Schreiber, Michael Gerung
  • Patent number: 8965583
    Abstract: The invention relates to a robot (R), a medical work station, and a method for projecting an image (20) onto the surface of an object (P). The robot (R) comprises a robot arm (A) and a device (18) for projecting the image (20) onto the surface of the object (P), said device (18) being mounted on or integrated into the robot arm (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Ortmaier, Dirk Jacob, Georg Passig
  • Patent number: 8918204
    Abstract: A transport unit (1) is provided for workpieces (2), in particular sheet metal parts, between neighboring placement areas or machining devices (3, 4), in particular presses. The transport unit (1) includes a multi-axis robot (5) having a gripper tool (9). A controllable transfer unit (6) is also provided that is guided by the robot (5). The unit includes an advancement unit (7) and a pivot unit (8) for the gripper tool (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kuka Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Yong-Hak Cho, Thomas Holecek, Matthias Gastl, Sebastian Mocker, Thomas Henneke
  • Patent number: 8915696
    Abstract: In a method and device for depalletizing stack containers, the stacked containers are supported by at least one support base, and the stacked containers on the support base are frictionally engaged and lifted on two opposite sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Herbert Fellner
  • Patent number: 8914152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for collision-free path planning for an industrial robot (1) which has a control device (9) and a robot arm (2) that is movable with the aid of the control device (9), to which an object (11) is attached, and in whose working space at least one obstacle (12) is situated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Scheurer, Uwe Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20140324267
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated guided vehicle, a system having a computer and an automated guided vehicle, and a method for operating an automated guided vehicle. The automated guided vehicle is to travel along track sections automatically from a start point to an end point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KUKA LABORATORIES GMBH
    Inventors: Patrick Pfaff, Daniel Meyer-Delius, Stefan Loibl
  • Patent number: 8864594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a carnival ride the comprises a passenger seat for receiving at least one person, a display device for displaying a film sequence and a robot with a control device and with a robotic arm to which the passenger seat can be fastened or is fastened. The film sequence comprises several successive images. The robotic arm comprises drives connected to the control device and comprises several members that can be moved relative to each other by the drives relative to axes. The control device is arranged for controlling the drives for a movement of the robotic arm so that the members have positions of the axes which positions are associated during the movement with the movement. Information about an association of at least several of the images of the film sequence with corresponding positions of the axes of the robotic arm is stored in the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Hasenzahl
  • Patent number: 8843237
    Abstract: A method according to the invention for controlling a manipulator, in particular a robot, includes the following steps: determining (S10, S20) a target path (q(s)) of the manipulator, and determining (S70) a motion value (v(s)) for this target path, optionally, determining (S50) a path segment ([s_A, s_E]) with a defined profile of a motion value (v(s)=vc), and automatically determining (S60) this motion value on the basis of motion values (v_max_RB, v_max_vg) permissible in this path segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Aurnhammer, Stefan Burkhart, Manfred Huttenhofer, Martin Weiss
  • Publication number: 20140262680
    Abstract: A conveyance system includes a plurality of feed-forward track segments each having an upwardly facing channel and a friction drive member disposed in the channel. At least one carrier is supported for movement along the feed-forward track segments by frictional engagement between the carrier and the friction drive member. The conveyance system may further include a plurality of return track segments disposed above the feed-forward track segments. A catwalk may be positioned between the feed-forward track segments and the return track segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KUKA SYSTEMS CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA
    Inventors: Kevin J. Laurence, William R. Cremont, Walter J. Jakubiec, Michael Carter, Rodney E. Bereznicki
  • Publication number: 20140262681
    Abstract: A conveyance system includes a plurality of feed-forward track segments aligned end-to end, each having an upwardly facing channel and at least one linear motor disposed in the channel. At least one carrier is supported for movement along the track segments. Each carrier includes at least one magnet that cooperates with the linear motors to move the carrier along the respective feed-forward track segments. The conveyance system may further include a plurality of return track segments spaced from the plurality of feed-forward track segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KUKA SYSTEMS CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA
    Inventors: Kevin J. Laurence, Michael P. LaRose, Scott J. Hoder, Kenneth V. DeYonker, Joseph P. Peet, Walter J. Jakubiec
  • Patent number: 8833862
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel (1) with a driven wheel body (2), comprising two support elements (21, 22), between which a number of roller bodies (3) with a spherical surface are arrange to rotate, which at least partly extend beyond the circumference of the support elements (21, 22) the rotational axes of which are arranged at an angle to the rotational axis (23) of the wheel body (2). The ratio of the outer diameter (Du) of the wheel (1) to the maximum radius (Ra) of the roller body (3) is between 1.08 and 1.13, in particular, between 1.09 and 1.12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Günther
  • Patent number: 8831779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical robot (R) and a method for meeting the performance requirements of a medical robot (R). The robot (R) comprises several axes (1-6) and a controller (17). A medical tool (21-24) is fixed to a fixing device (18) on the robot (R) and the working range (30) of the robot (R) is set by the controller (17) in particular with safe techniques such that the robot (R) meets the performance requirements of the medical tool (21-24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Ortmaier, Marc-Walter Ueberle
  • Patent number: 8828023
    Abstract: A medical work station for treating a living being using a medical instrument includes at least one robot arm, which has a plurality of members connected by joints, drives to move the members, and an attaching device, at least one control device coupled with the drives, which is set up to generate signals for actuating the drives, so that the attaching devices carry out movements assigned to the signals, and a display device coupled with the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Neff, Dirk Jacob, Martin Kuschel, Marc-Walter Ueberle, Tobias Ortmaier