Patents Examined by Randell J Krug
  • Patent number: 10882191
    Abstract: Robotic system includes a control system and a slave device which is controlled by the control system. The slave device has a robotic grasping device formed of a rigid base and at least one finger which is movable to facilitate grasping of objects. At least one sensor is provided which senses a force applied to the finger. A cutting tool having a cutting jaw is also attached to the base. The cutting jaw is arranged to pivot on a pivot axis responsive to a pivot motion of the finger. The forces exerted on the cutting jaw are sensed with the sensor during a first predetermined range of finger motion associated with a cutting mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Bosscher, Matthew D. Summer, Michael E. Bowman, Nicholas Murphy-DuBay, Loran J. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 10865873
    Abstract: A motor unit includes a motor including a shaft to rotate about a motor axis, and a stator, a reduction gear, and a housing. The shaft includes a first shaft portion, a connecting shaft portion, and a second shaft portion arranged coaxially with one another, and a separating mechanism between the connecting shaft portion and the second shaft portion. The first shaft portion includes a first end portion. The connecting shaft portion includes a second end portion coupled to the first end portion, a third end portion located on a side opposite to the second end portion, and a connection flange portion extending radially outward. The second shaft portion includes a fourth end portion. The separating mechanism selectively separates the connection flange portion and the fourth end portion from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Ishikawa, Yasuo Yamaguchi, Takayuki Migita
  • Patent number: 10864936
    Abstract: A worm wheel of an electric power steering apparatus includes: an inner wheel coupled to a steering shaft; an outer wheel disposed outside an outer circumference of the inner wheel and having a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential surface to be engaged with a worm of a worm shaft; and a damper interposed between the inner wheel and the outer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kee Woong Sung
  • Patent number: 10836512
    Abstract: Embodiments of a spherical momentum control device are provided. In one embodiment, the spherical momentum control device includes a housing assembly bounding a cavity, a rotor support axle disposed within the cavity, and a spherical bearing interface formed between the rotor support axle and the housing assembly. The spherical bearing interface facilitates rotation of the rotor support axle within the cavity about three orthogonal axes transecting substantially at the cavity center point. A rotor is mounted to the rotor support axle (e.g., through precision bearings) for rotation about a spin axis. The spherical bearing interface can assume any form for facilitating rotation of the rotor support axle about the orthogonal axes including, for example, a low friction plane bearing interface. In one embodiment, the spherical bearing interface includes rolling element bearings embedded in the cavity walls or embedded in enlarged end caps forming part of the rotor support axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Michael Wayne Bushroe
  • Patent number: 10828768
    Abstract: A robot installation includes a first robot and a second robot. The first robot is attached to a fixed position in relation to the second robot such that the second robot lies within a reach of at least one drive arm of the first robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Torgny BrogÄrdh, Johan Ernlund
  • Patent number: 10821614
    Abstract: A clutched joint module of a robotic system comprising an output member operable to couple to a first support member; an input member operable to couple to a second support member; a primary actuator operable to apply a primary torque to the output member to rotate the first and second support members relative to one another about an axis of rotation of the clutched joint module; a quasi-passive elastic actuator coupled to the input member and operable to apply an augmented torque to the output member that combines with the primary torque to rotate the output member about the axis of rotation; and a clutch mechanism operably coupled to the primary actuator and the quasi-passive elastic actuator operable in an engaged state or a disengaged state to actuate and deactivate the quasi-passive elastic actuator and to facilitate application or removal of the augmented torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sarcos Corp.
    Inventors: Fraser M. Smith, Marc X. Olivier
  • Patent number: 10816060
    Abstract: A reduction gear including an input shaft including an input gear, an output shaft including an output gear, and two intermediate transmission lines, each intermediate transmission line including an intermediate shaft including a first stage of teeth and a second stage of teeth, the stages rotating as one, and an additional gear for meshing respectively with the first stage of teeth and the input gear, or with the second stage of teeth and the output gear, and the reduction gear wherein the input gear or the output gear meshing with the additional gears is axially offset with respect to the stage of teeth of the intermediate shafts meshing with the additional gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Benjamin Feraud, Aldric Renaud Gabriel Marie Moreau De Lizoreux, Boris Morelli, Maxime Amiet, Antoine Mathieu
  • Patent number: 10815643
    Abstract: An adjustable user input device assembly comprising a handle having a first portion, a second portion, and a palm portion for receiving the palm of an operator's hand, the palm portion located between the first portion and the second portion; an elongated support having a first support portion and a second support portion, the first support portion coupled to the handle through an adjustable coupling mechanism, the second support portion coupled to a control console, the adjustable coupling mechanism configured to slidably adjust the handle to at least one of a pistol grip position, a palm-on-top grip position, or a position therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Scott J. Breiner, Ronald J. Huber
  • Patent number: 10808812
    Abstract: A spindle drive includes a housing, a spindle, e.g., a threaded spindle, a trapezoidal threaded spindle, a ball circulation spindle or planetary roller spindle, and a spindle nut that is operatively connected to the spindle. The spindle nut is guided on the housing in a manner that allows it to be moved back and forth in response to rotational movement of the spindle in the axial direction thereof. On at least one axial side, the spindle nut includes an annular groove or is connected, e.g., screw-connected, to a part that has an annular groove. An annular collar is formed on the housing. The collar enters or extends into the annular groove in response to the spindle nut reaching an associated or a corresponding axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Dittes
  • Patent number: 10808811
    Abstract: At a lift-up buckle device, due to a motor being driven and an output shaft of the motor being rotated, a drive screw is rotated. Further, a supporting tube rotatably supports a rear end portion of the drive screw. Here, the output shaft rotatably supports a front end portion of the drive screw. Therefore, offset between a rotation central axis of the output shaft and a rotation central axis of the drive screw can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Makoto Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 10792820
    Abstract: A robot arm comprising a plurality of limbs articulated relative to each other, the robot arm extending from a base to a distal limb carrying a tool or an attachment point for a tool, the distal limb being attached by a revolute joint to a second limb, and the robot arm comprising a motor having a body and a drive shaft configured to drive rotation of the distal limb relative to the second limb about the revolute joint, wherein the body of the motor is fast with the distal limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: CMR SURGICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Keith Marshall, Nikki Priyam Su-Ling Phoolchund
  • Patent number: 10793022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle gearbox (1) of an electric seat drive, comprising a gearbox housing (2) for mounting a worm gear (3) and a worm, the worm meshing with the worm gear (3), a threaded spindle (4, 5) connected to the worm gear (3), a first lid (6), and a second lid (7), wherein the first lid (6) and the second lid (7) are fastened parallel to one another on the gearbox housing (2). The threaded spindle (4, 5) is guided through the first lid (6), and the first lid (6) is fastened on the gearbox housing (2) independently of the second lid (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Christof Angerer
  • Patent number: 10788109
    Abstract: An actuation device (1) comprising a threaded shaft (2) connected at one end to driving means adapted to allow the threaded shaft (2) to rotate about its longitudinal axis (a). A movable element (3) is provided with a cylindrical cavity (30) adapted to receive the threaded shaft (2), and configured so that a rotation of the threaded shaft (2) corresponds to a translation the movable element (3) along the longitudinal axis (a). The device (1) has two guiding rods (4,4?) coupled to the movable element (3) and adapted to constrain the translation of the latter along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (a). Element (3) comprises a first (31) and a second (32) element constrained to each other, wherein the first element (31) is coupled to the threaded shaft (2) and the second element (32) is coupled to the two guiding rods (4,4?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignees: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECHNOLOGIA, ISTITUTO NAZIONALE PER L'ASSICURAZIONE CONTRO GLI INFORTUNI SUL LAVORO
    Inventors: Matteo Laffranchi, Stefano D'Angella, Samuele Cappa, Paolo Uboldi, Jody Saglia, Carlo Sanfilippo, Emanuele Gruppioni
  • Patent number: 10788108
    Abstract: An actuator for opening and closing a decklid or other closure on a motor vehicle is described and shown. The actuator can include a motor, a rod coupled to and driven by the motor, a first sleeve coupled to and driven by the rod, and a second sleeve coupled to and driven by the first sleeve. The first and second sleeves can be slidably coupled to one another, and/or can be rotatably locked relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Adams, Howard Kuhlman, Daniela Kowalski
  • Patent number: 10759045
    Abstract: The guide robot includes a case having a coupling hole and a door type display structure that is capable of opening or closing the coupling hole. Access to the body part in which main electrical components are provided may be easy. An installation plate coupled to a main frame, a slide guide and a guide plate, which are coupled to the installation plate, and a plurality of link type coupling devices coupled to one side of the guide plate and connected to the display unit may be provided to open or close the coupling hole by rotating the display unit after the display unit slidably moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunho Yang, Haemin Choi
  • Patent number: 10760664
    Abstract: A circular spline is secured to a housing. An output member is positioned relative to the circular spline, an outer race of a bearing is secured to the housing, and an inner race of the bearing is secured to the output member. A flex spline is positioned relative to the circular spline and secured to the output member. A wave generator is positioned relative to the circular spline, and a support member, by which the wave generator is rotatably supported, is secured to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Yajima
  • Patent number: 10760666
    Abstract: The present embodiments relates to a reducer of an electric power steering device. An embodiment of the present embodiments provides a reducer of an electric power steering device, including: a worm shaft having a first worm shaft bearing and a second worm shaft bearing coupled to one end portion, which is connected to a motor shaft, and to the other end portion, which is opposite thereto, respectively; a gear housing that contains the first worm shaft bearing, the second worm shaft bearing, and the worm shaft; and a support member coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the hear housing so as to support the outer race of the second worm shaft toward the worm wheel and filled with a viscoelastic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyung Tack Lee
  • Patent number: 10753457
    Abstract: An operating device includes a tiltable operating member, a support supporting the operating member, a first movable member and a second movable member configured to move together with the operating member, a first magnetic body provided on the first movable member, a second magnetic body provided on a second movable member, and a permanent magnet supported by the support. When the operating member is in a reference position, the permanent magnet and the first and second magnetic bodies attract each other. When the operating member is tilted in a first direction from the reference position to be positioned in multiple positions, first, the first magnetic body moves away from the permanent magnet with the tilting of the first movable member, and next, the second magnetic body moves away from the permanent magnet with the tilting of the second movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Uenomachi
  • Patent number: 10744637
    Abstract: A robot includes a robot main body including a first member, a second member, and a joint that coupling the first and the second members together so as to be relatively rotatable around an axis, a fixed stopper fixed to the first member, and an adaptor and a movable stopper that are each detachably attached to the second member. The second member has a main-body-side attachment part to which either one of the adaptor and the movable stopper is selectively attached. The adaptor has an adaptor-side attachment part to which the movable stopper is attached and which is arranged in a position different from that of the main-body-side attachment part in a circumferential direction around the axis, while the adaptor is in a state of being attached to the main-body-side attachment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki Fujioka
  • Patent number: 10746275
    Abstract: In an actuator, which can be used, for example, for an electromotive parking brake, and the housing of which is equipped with a gear mechanism, axial and radial bracings of a worm member take place using a bearing bracket, the limbs of which, on both sides, engage the worm member from behind and reach radially beyond its shaft. As seizing protection against a wedging between the worm member and the worm wheel, the bearing bracket can be slightly displaced in the housing. For this purpose, by virtue of the restoring forces exerted by the spring elements, which are then tensioned, the bearing bracket together with the worm member is pushed axially and the worm wheel 20 is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: OECHSLER AG
    Inventors: Peter Stanislawski, Stefan Dettenberger