Patents Assigned to Roboter GmbH
  • Publication number: 20180169871
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Melina NASRADINI, Vladimir KURMYSHKIN, Stefan KARLINGER, Jürgen HEITZ, Frank ROHÉ
  • Patent number: 9943968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method or a system for the dependable stopping of axes of an industrial robot. The industrial robot comprises a control device (501, 502), power electronics (201, 202, 203) and a DC source (300), as well as at least one axis (700), which is assigned to an electric motor (100) and to a mechanical brake (600). In order to stop the axis a direct current is supplied by the DC source in at least one motor phase of the motor, which generates a braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Geiler, Richard Rudolf
  • Patent number: 9931659
    Abstract: A robot tool for dispensing an anticorrosion wax including a nozzle unit for delivering non-atomized wax as a thin jet and wax atomized with compressed air as a spray cone. The nozzle unit is connected to a supply duct for compressed air and to a supply duct for wax, and has an internal nozzle for producing the jet and an external nozzle for producing the spray cone. An atomizing chamber is between the internal nozzle and the external nozzle, wherein the supply duct opens into the atomizing chamber. The internal nozzle is flush with the external nozzle such that, when the atomizing chamber is not supplied with compressed air, wax which exits as the jet may be delivered through the atomizing chamber and through the external nozzle. The atomizing chamber when supplied with compressed air is configured for atomizing the jet exiting from the internal nozzle by the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: IPR—INTELLIGENTE PERIPHERIEN FUER ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventor: Claus Dreher
  • Publication number: 20180085926
    Abstract: A system and a method for carrying out a teleoperative process, wherein an image recording device and a tool are used. The tool may be guided by a first manipulator, and a currently captured region of the image recording device is determined. Monitoring the position of the tool relative to the currently captured region of the image recording device makes it possible to prevent the tool from unintentionally leaving the captured region. The axes of the manipulator are provided with sensors for detecting the forces and/or torques acting on the axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Yevgen Kogan
  • Patent number: 9902065
    Abstract: A method for altering an initially predetermined path of a robot arrangement having at least one robot includes selecting a portion of the initially predetermined path, altering the selected portion of the path, and predetermining an altered path based on the altered portion of the path. A deviation between the initially predetermined path and the altered path is determined, and a reaction is triggered if the deviation fulfills a predetermined condition for a reaction. In another aspect, a computer programming product, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to select a portion of the initially predetermined path, alter the selected portion of the path, predetermine an altered path based on the altered portion of the path, determine a deviation between the initially predetermined and the altered path, and trigger a reaction if the deviation fulfills a predetermined condition for a reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Dzierzega, Markus Dinkhoff
  • Patent number: 9902072
    Abstract: A telepresence system includes a man-machine interface and a teleoperator configured to communicate bidirectionally with the man-machine interface via a communications channel. The teleoperator performs actions based on first signals generated due to a manual operation of the man-machine interface and transmitted over the communication channel, and sends second signals to the man-machine interface over a second communication channel. At least one buffer device buffers signals transferred through the communication channel and releases the signals delayed so that the signals coming from the man-machine interface and the signals coming from the teleoperator each are transmitted through the communication channel with an effective constant time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Jacob, Marc-Walter Ueberle, Thomas Neff, Martin Kuschel, Tobias Ortmaier
  • Patent number: 9895807
    Abstract: An inventive programming means for programming a movement of a robot axis arrangement and a movement of at least one further robot axis arrangement is adapted to synchronize the pair of positions of the movement of the robot axis arrangement and the pairs of positions of the movement of at least one more robot axis arrangement, and while maintaining this synchronization, to specify at least another position between either one of these pairs of positions, which is not synchronized with another position of the hereby synchronized pair of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Wiedemann, Manfred Huettenhofer, Stefanie Deller, Andreas Hagenauer, Martin Weiss
  • Patent number: 9895814
    Abstract: A robotic arm of an industrial robot includes successive links connected by joints having respective drives and associated transmissions for moving the links. First and second links have respective first and second housings that transfer forces and moments arising from the weight of the robotic arm, or a load carried by the arm, to adjacent links. A first drive rotatably connecting the first and second links includes a drive housing, a rotor, and a stator connected to the drive housing. The drive housing is fastened to the first housing of the first link and forms an external wall of the robotic arm. The transmission associated with the first drive includes an input link that is joined with the rotor of the first drive. An output of the first drive is connected to a flange that is fastened to the second housing and rotatable relative to the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Krumbacher
  • Patent number: 9878446
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for determining gripping regions on an object. The object is to be gripped, based on the determined gripping regions, by means of a robot. At least one first gripping pose of the robot is taught at the object, and additional gripping poses are determined at the object. Based on these gripping poses, a first gripping region is configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Scheurer, Stephanie Bobert, Uwe Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9872651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical work station which has a medical instrument which is intended to be inserted at least partially into the interior of a lying being for treating the latter, an imaging device which is set up to create image data records of the interior of the living being during the treatment, and a robot. The robot includes a robot arm having a plurality of members situated one after another, on which the imaging device or the medical instrument may be situated, and a control device intended for moving the robot arm, which is set up to move the robot arm in such a way that the imaging device attached to the robot arm follows a motion of the medical instrument, or the medical instrument attached to the robot arm follows a motion of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Ralph Berke
  • Patent number: 9833904
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a robot-assisted measurement of measurable objects. The paths of a sensor are defined and transmitted to a robot co-ordinate system. The actual paths of the sensor guided on the robot are recorded. A plurality of measurable objects is measured, the sensor being guided with the robot along the actual paths. A compensating device makes it possible to compensate internal and/or external influences produced on the robot. The compensation stage is carried out after a determined number of measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Verl
  • Patent number: 9827674
    Abstract: A method for the conditional stopping of at least one manipulator and a manipulator assembly. The manipulator travels along a path which has a stopping point. In order to be able to stop the manipulator at the stopping point, a braking point on the path is calculated as a function of a speed of the manipulator. If the status of a travel condition variable necessitates braking of the manipulator in the event of exceeding the braking point, the manipulator is braked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Tronnier, Günther Wiedemann, Stefan Burkhart, Andreas Aurnhammer, Manfred Hüttenhofer
  • Patent number: 9821456
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Riedel
  • Patent number: 9815200
    Abstract: A method for controlling a multiaxial jointed-arm robot. A plurality of reference data sets are recorded during a previous monitored reference travel. During an operational travel, a trajectory progress variable is established and is used to monitor the movement of the manipulator on the basis of the reference data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Zimmermann, Gerhard Hietmann
  • Patent number: 9817057
    Abstract: An electrical device having a clocked circuitry, and a method for testing the power supply unit of the electrical device. The electrical device comprises an electrical load, a clocked power supply unit, at least one pulse transformer and an evaluation device. The power supply unit comprises a power stack having at least one power semiconductor switch and is configured for generating a clocked voltage for the electrical load from an electric voltage based on an alternating on/off switching of the power semiconductor switch. The power stack exhibits at least one current path, through which an electric current flows during operation. The pulse transformer generates a signal assigned to the change in the charge and/or the direction of the electric current flowing through the current path. The evaluation device evaluates the signal coming from the pulse transformer and draws a conclusion regarding the operational reliability of the power semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Langhans, Sebastian Zehetbauer
  • Patent number: 9815196
    Abstract: An apparatus for recording positions in a control program of a manipulator, which includes a manipulator, a controller having a control program, and a manual control device, wherein the controller can actuate the manipulator 10 in a compliance control, in which the manipulator is allowed to occupy an actual position different to the nominal position, wherein the controller, when recording the current position of the manipulator in the control program, carries over into the control program in a situation-based manner the nominal position, the actual position or a hybrid position comprising nominal and actual components of the current position. In addition, a corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Zimmermann, Günter Schreiber
  • Patent number: 9782225
    Abstract: A surgical instrument arrangement has a modular motor drive unit which has a drive arrangement having at least one output element, an instrument shaft that can be detachably connected to the drive unit, and a drive arrangement having at least one input drive element. The output drive arrangement and the input drive arrangement can be coupled to each other by a mechanical interface that has at least one single-sided linkage, a pin, and a cut-out, wherein the pin can be radially expanded in the cut-out. Alternatively, a gap may be formed between the pin and the cut-out, which gap is wavy in the radial direction, and in which a radially displaceable, axially fixed intermediate element arrangement is arranged. The surgical instrument arrangement may also include a sterile barrier, which is provided to envelop the drive unit and to be arranged between the drive unit and the instrument shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Lohmeier, Wolfgang Schober, Sven Brudniok
  • Patent number: 9775678
    Abstract: A surgical instrument arrangement has a modular motor drive unit which has a drive arrangement having at least one output element, an instrument shaft that can be detachably connected to the drive unit, and a drive arrangement having at least one input drive element. The output drive arrangement and the input drive arrangement can be coupled to each other by a mechanical interface that has at least one single-sided linkage, a pin, and a cut-out, wherein the pin can be radially expanded in the cut-out. Alternatively, a gap may be formed between the pin and the cut-out, which gap is wavy in the radial direction, and in which a radially displaceable, axially fixed intermediate element arrangement is arranged. The surgical instrument arrangement may also include a sterile barrier, which is provided to envelop the drive unit and to be arranged between the drive unit and the instrument shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian Lohmeier
  • Patent number: 9743995
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Lohmeier, Wolfgang Schober
  • Patent number: 9746843
    Abstract: A method of safety monitoring for a robot assembly with at least one robot that is configured with a linking function arrangement with at least one first linking function including a fixed and predetermined number of monitoring functions of a monitoring function arrangement. The monitoring functions are logically linked to one another such that the first linking function has a reaction state whenever all of the monitoring functions indicate the violated and/or error state. The first linking function does not have a reaction state whenever any monitoring function from the plurality of monitoring functions does not indicate the violated and/or error state. The reaction state is executed by the controller when all of the monitoring functions are in the violated and/or error state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Bonin, Jonas Rumping, Marc-Walter Ueberle, Christian Hartmann, Denis Pesotski, Botond Gorog, Giulio Milighetti, Robert Bertossi