Abstract: A positioning and clamping system for a workpiece to be processed, which is disposed at a work station on a mobile load receiver. The positioning and clamping system includes a mobile and robot-guided gripper tool for the workpiece, in particular a geo-gripper tool, for clamping the workpiece in a defined position and orientation. A stationary, adjustable support device supports, stabilizes, and positions the gripper tool, in particular the geo-gripper tool, at the work station in a stationary manner, together with the gripped, in particular clamped, workpiece for processing.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 16, 2018
Publication date:
July 16, 2020
Applicant:
KUKA Systems GmbH
Inventors:
Per-Olaf Brockhoff, Christian Karmann, Johann Kraus
Abstract: A method for supplying power from at least one power supply unit to transportation vehicles requiring a power supply, in which a position of a transportation vehicle-side power supply interface of a transportation vehicle requiring power is determined for each transportation vehicle and the transportation vehicle-side power supply interface is automatically coupled to a power supply interface of the power supply unit by the power supply interface of the power supply unit being moved by a robot to the transportation vehicle-side power supply interface and coupled thereto. A robot is responsible for coupling transportation vehicles to a suitable power supply interface of the power supply unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 19, 2016
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2020
Assignees:
VOLKSWAGEN AG, KUKA DEUTSCHLAND
Inventors:
Daniel Schütz, Michael Grote, Jürgen Stieg, Lutz Junge, Sven Horstmann, Thorsten Bagdonat, Sebastian Grysczyk, Andreas Weiser, Norbert Settele
Abstract: A manufacturing plant (1) includes a plurality of mutually uniform modular manufacturing stations (2) which are arranged in a station matrix (5) and are interlinked for conveying by a conveyor device (16) and a path network (17). The manufacturing stations (2) are modular and include a plurality of integrated manufacturing cells (7,8) and each has its own process area (9).
Abstract: A method for changing at least one energy store of a vehicle and an energy store changing apparatus. The method includes steps for ascertaining the vehicle type and the provision of vehicle data relating to the ascertained vehicle type. The vehicle data includes data about the arrangement of the energy store in the vehicle. The position of the vehicle is ascertained on the basis of at least one physical reference point, and at least one energy store of the vehicle is changed.
Abstract: A cooling device for cooling electrical components of a robot control device with cooling air flow generated by a fan having a first receiving space for first electrical components, a second receiving space for second electrical components, and a cooling body wall fluidically separating the first receiving space from the second receiving space. The cooling body wall has a first separating wall surface facing the first receiving space and an opposite second separating wall surface facing an intermediate space of the cooling body wall. The second separating wall surface includes cooling wall projections that form at least one flow channel. The cooling body wall has a cooling air passage opening that is designed to convey a cooling air flow conveyed by at least one fan of the cooling device from the first receiving space, through the cooling body wall, into the intermediate space.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 2018
Date of Patent:
June 16, 2020
Assignee:
KUKA Deutschland GmbH
Inventors:
Michael Wagner, Gerhard Werner, Mario Selic
Abstract: An industrial robot includes a robot control configured to execute a robot program and a robot arm having a plurality of links connected by joints. The joints are configured to automatically adjust the links relative to one another according to the robot program, wherein at least one of the joints is configured as a rotary joint that connects a first link of the plurality of links to an adjacent second link for rotation relative to one another. The first link comprises a shaft sealing ring that has a sealing lip formed from a PTFE material, and the second link has a shaft portion with a running surface formed from a PTFE material, on which the shaft sealing ring bears with its sealing lip in a sealing manner. A method for moving the robot arm in a clean room is also disclosed.
Abstract: A pressure welding method and a pressure welding device (1) includes a plasticizing unit (7), a compression unit (8), a machine head (13) that includes a spindle (54) and a component holder (34). The pressure welding device (1) further includes a spindle drive (56) and an actuation mechanism (41) that includes an actuation drive (65) for the component holder (34). The actuation drive (65) is placed between the spindle drive (56) and the spindle (54) within a drive train (57).
Abstract: A method for automatically predetermining an intended movement of a manipulator arrangement of a medical system having a medical instrument and a recording means for generating images, wherein the recording means and/or the instrument is guided by the manipulator arrangement. The method includes establishing an intended transformation between a reference stationary in relation to the recording means and a reference stationary in relation to the instrument; monitoring a deviation between the intended transformation and a current transformation between the reference stationary in relation to the recording means and the reference stationary in relation to the instrument; and determining a reset movement of the manipulator arrangement for returning the current transformation to the intended transformation when the deviation satisfies a predetermined condition.
Abstract: A cable guide device for guiding at least one supply cable along a robot arm includes a supply cable and a spring system configured to automatically return the supply cable from an extracted state into a retracted state. The device, has a front end section in the direction of extraction of the supply cable, and a rear end section in the direction of extraction of the supply cable. The device further includes a spring system seat permanently connected to the supply cable and on which the rear end section of the spring system is mounted, an abutment seat on which the front end section of the spring system is mounted, a fastening device configured to fasten the cable guide device to a link of the robot arm, and an adjustment device carrying the abutment seat and configured to mount the abutment seat for movement with respect to the fastening device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 9, 2016
Date of Patent:
April 28, 2020
Assignee:
KUKA Deutschland GmbH
Inventors:
Melina Nasradini, Vladimir Kurmyshkin, Stefan Karlinger, Jürgen Heitz, Frank Rohé
Abstract: A method of moving an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to a target position relative to an object having two characteristic features, wherein the target position lies on a connecting line between the two characteristic features or is located at a distance from the connecting line. The method includes moving the AGV to a position where distances to the characteristic features can be determined; determining a first distance between the current position and the first characteristic feature, and a second distance between the current position and the second characteristic feature; automatically moving the AGV in translation with a superposed first rotation, wherein the direction of the first rotation depends on the first and second distances; and automatically moving the AGV in translation with a superposed second rotation, wherein the second rotation is opposite in direction to the first rotation. The steps are repeated until a termination condition is satisfied.
Abstract: A method for controlling a manipulator includes releasing the manipulator in reaction to a release request by an operator, wherein the recognition of the release request involves monitoring the variation over time of a measured value that is characteristic of a state of the manipulator. Increased robustness of the recognition of the release request results.
Abstract: A folding tool (2) and a method for bend folding a workpiece (5) in multiple steps. The folding tool (2) includes three or more driven folding elements (13, 17, 21) which are positioned above one another and are fed to a common folding point, at least one folding element (17, 21) performing a swiveling movement. The folding tool (2) is used for successively creating folds with fold angles of about 160° or more in a plurality of folding steps.
Abstract: A pressure welding device (1) includes a plastification device (7), an upsetting device (8) and a mounting (11) for the components (2,3) to be welded together and a machine frame (12). The pressure welding device further includes a machine head (13) and an upsetting head (27) which can be moved relative one another along a machine axis (6). The mounting (11) includes a component seat (36), which is mounted on the machine frame (12) so as to be able to float between the machine head (13) and the upsetting head (27), and a preferably automatic adjusting device (17) for adaptation to different component dimensions, in particular component lengths.
Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling a compliant-controlled robot includes performing a boundary monitoring of the robot and controlling movement of the robot with a return force that is predetermined by control technology. If the robot is already in a blocked area upon activation of the boundary monitoring, then a first return force operates to return the robot from a current position in the blocked area toward a boundary of the blocked area. If the robot arrived at the current position in the blocked area after activation of the boundary monitoring, then a second return force operates to return the robot from the current position toward the boundary. The first return force is at least temporarily less than the second return force.
Abstract: A pressure welding method and a pressure welding device (1) are provided. The pressure welding device (1) includes a plastification device (7), an upsetting device (8) and component mountings (34,35,36,37) for the components (2,3,3?,4) to be welded together and a machine frame (12). The pressure welding device (1) further includes a plurality of machine heads (13,14), each having a component mount (34,35), which machine heads are movably arranged on the machine frame and are connected to respective upsetting drives (22). The machine heads (13,14) and respective upsetting drives (22) can be independently driven. An upsetting head or support head (27), which is preferably secured on the frame, is arranged between the machine heads (13,14).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 2015
Date of Patent:
January 28, 2020
Assignee:
KUKA DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Inventors:
Michael Büchler, Otmar Fischer, Harald Meyer, Klaus Schneider
Abstract: A monitoring method for a robot. The actual internal loads are measured with a sensor at a reference point of the robot and are compared with the expected internal loads. The expected internal loads are calculated using the movement of the robot and a dynamic model. It is possible to estimate which external forces act on the robot by comparing the actual and expected internal loads. The signal characteristics of different signal components in the signal of the estimated external forces are used to differentiate between said signal components.
Abstract: A retaining device (3) is provided for a workpiece (7), which is machined by an industrial robot (2), including a machining tool (4), along a machining path (16). The retaining device (3) includes a clamping tool (5) for clamping tool parts (13, 14) on the machining path (16) and a multi-axis guiding device (6) for the clamping tool (5) and for the independent movement thereof relative to the workpiece (7) during the machining process.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 2015
Date of Patent:
January 21, 2020
Assignee:
KUKA DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Inventors:
Per-Olaf Brockhoff, Christian Goldstein, Bernd Richter