Patents Examined by William C. Joyce
  • Patent number: 11365792
    Abstract: A power split transmission structure has at least three interfaces to direct driving power from a drive to at least one output in order to supply the driving power to connected consumers. It comprises at least two variator paths which each comprise a summation gearbox communicating with an electric or hydraulic machine via a mechanical and a non-mechanical path in order to modify torque, speed or both of the driving power. A control device regulates the summation gearbox of each of the variator paths. A power electronics system or hydraulic control device is connected to the electric or hydraulic machine of each of the variator paths. The transmission structure directs the driving power via the variator paths such that the electric or hydraulic machine of each variator path is operable in a generator or motor mode in order to compensate for a power shortfall or a power oversupply at at least one outlet of the transmission structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Norbert Fritz, Rainer Gugel, David Mueller
  • Patent number: 11364625
    Abstract: Link for an articulated manipulator, comprising a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and having a first joint end and a second joint end, wherein the first joint end and the second joint end define a first joint plane and a second joint plane, respectively. The first joint plane and the second joint are each at an inclination angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first joint plane is arranged parallel to a first axis and wherein the second joint plane is arranged parallel to a second axis, the longitudinal axis being perpendicular to the first axis and second axis, and wherein the first axis and second axis are at a mutual twist angle of at least one times the inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: State Of The Art Ltd.
    Inventors: Leander Marcel Berwers, Kuijpers Peter
  • Patent number: 11358289
    Abstract: A joint structure of a robot includes a first member, a second member which is rotatably supported around a horizontal rotation axis line with respect to the first member, and an actuator which rotates the second member with respect to the first member, a through-holes, each of which allows a lubrication space in which a lubricant for the actuator is enclosed to connect with an outer space is provided in at least one of the first member and the second member, and more than three of the through-holes are provided at an interval in a circumferential direction centering around the horizontal rotation axis line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norimitsu Uemura, Masaaki Uematsu
  • Patent number: 11359703
    Abstract: The present disclosures relates to a toroidal continuously variable transmission which includes: a rotating shaft; a pair of outside disks supported by a rotating shaft to rotate in synchronization with the rotating shaft; an inside disk supported by the rotating shaft to rotate relative to the rotating shaft; a pair of rolling bearing units, each including a radial rolling bearing capable of supporting an axial load to support the inside disk so that relative rotation with respect to the rotating shaft is possible; a plurality of power rollers arranged between the axial inside surfaces the outside disks and the axial outside surfaces of the inside disk to transmit power between them; and a preloading mechanism elastically pressing the outer ring of the radial rolling bearing in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: NSK LTD., KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishimura, Kippei Matsuda, Hideyuki Imai, Akihito Abe
  • Patent number: 11351679
    Abstract: A robot arm includes multiple links and joints connecting the links to one another in an articulated manner, wherein, in cooperation with the joints, the links are designed to carry and move a load in space. The joints can be automatically adjusted by motors of the robot arm to move the links. At least one first link has a first casing and a neighboring second link has a second casing. The casings are designed to transfer respective forces and torques resulting from the weight of the robot arm itself and/or the load to the neighboring link. The first casing and/or the second casing has a deformation element designed to form a buffer body in a joint space between the first and second casings, which is changed due to an adjustment of the associated joint. The buffer body at least substantially or completely fills the changeable joint space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Riedel
  • Patent number: 11346428
    Abstract: Manual dual clutch power transmission unit 10 for a vehicle (tractor, constructional vehicle and the like), which comprises a synchro-shuttle transmission unit 10S (forward/reverse drive transmission), a hydro-mechanical operated a dual clutch unit 10D, a multi-speed transmission unit 10T (8 speed transmission unit), a range transmission unit 10R (3 ranges—low range, medium range and high range), a hydro-mechanical transmission control mechanism 100 which controls shifting and selection of gears (odd gear and/or even gear) and corresponding clutches (odd clutch and/or even clutch) respectively, and an auxiliary transmission actuation mechanism 200 which actuates the power transmission unit 10 when at least one of the hydraulic dual clutch unit 10D of the power transmission unit 10 and a hydraulic system of the vehicle is not functioning, wherein the transmission control mechanism 100 for the multi-speed transmission unit 10T is provided with Z-gate sequential gear shift pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Raju Krishnam, K. V. V. Srinivasa Rao, Devakumar Raja Janarthan
  • Patent number: 11345054
    Abstract: A magnetic-induced stiffness changed soft robot drive module includes magnetic-induced stiffness changed layer, two-degree-of-freedom pneumatic driver, magnetic core and sealing fixing device. The magnetic-induced stiffness changed layer and two-degree-of-freedom pneumatic driver are printed and formed. The magnetic core can be deformed together with the driver, and a magnetic field can be generated when it is energized. After the magnetic core is installed into the two-degree-of-freedom pneumatic driver, then assembled with the sealing fixing device, a soft robot drive module with one end fixed is finished. The magnetic-induced stiffness changed layer has the fast, reversible and controllable stiffness adjustment ability under the action of electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Te Li, Yongqing Wang, Haibo Liu, Qile Bo, Boyao Cui, Jianhui Deng, Kuo Liu
  • Patent number: 11331789
    Abstract: A system and method for a planar positioning system for an output member, the system having a pair of x-coordinate linear carriages and a pair of y-coordinate linear carriages. The system has a guide mechanism for the pair of x-coordinate linear carriages and the pair of y-coordinate linear carriages. The system has a plurality of movement and constraining cables extending from the pair of x-coordinate linear carriages and the pair of y-coordinate linear carriages to the output member for driving the output, wherein the pair of x-coordinate linear carriages and the output member move in sync in the x-direction and the pair of y-coordinate linear carriages and the output member move in sync in the y-direction. A restraint mechanism restrains the output member in an additional degree of freedom besides the x- and y-directions. The restraint can be a cable uptake and release device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: James Douglass Penn
  • Patent number: 11326676
    Abstract: A power unit of a utility vehicle includes a power source for travel of the utility vehicle, a continuously variable transmission, a gear transmission, a first clutch, a second clutch, and an output mechanism. The gear transmission includes a first GT input shaft, a second GT input shaft, a GT output shaft, a first GT intermediate shaft, a second GT intermediate shaft, first speed-change gears, second speed-change gears, a first transmission gear, and a second transmission gear. The first clutch is configured to disable power transmission from the power source to the first GT input shaft. The second clutch is configured to disable power transmission from a CVT output shaft of the continuously variable transmission to the second GT input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shouji Ozawa, Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11318605
    Abstract: A joint bearing for a robot 1 which comprises a shaft 21 and at least one link element 24, 35, 36, 37, 38, 59, 60 mounted to be rotatable on shaft 21 between two axial bearings 22, 23, 43, 44, 45, 46, 54, 55, 63, 64, 69, where a resiliently compressible preloading element 33, 49, 52, 53, 56, 57, 65, 66 is provided which applies an axial preloading force to the axial bearings. A robot with at least one such joint bearing as well as a method for assembling a joint bearing for a robot are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: FRUITCORE ROBOTICS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Füssl, Manuel Tobias Frey, Jens Robert Riegger
  • Patent number: 11318603
    Abstract: A delta robot includes a robot base, an end effector carrier that can be positioned in space, and three parallelogram articulated couplings which connect the end effector carrier to the robot base and are designed to connect the end effector carrier in a displaceable manner while maintaining its orientation in space relative to the robot base. Each parallelogram articulated coupling can be displaced, driven by a motor, to automatically move the end effector carrier, wherein each motor can be braked by means of a brake in order to automatically stop the end effector carrier and/or to hold the end effector carrier in its present position. The end effector carrier comprises at least one input device connected to the brakes by control technology and designed to release the brakes in an actuated switching state of the input device such that the end effector carrier is manually displaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Handfest, Victor Klein
  • Patent number: 11292124
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a variable stiffness soft actuator inspired by an ossicle structure of echinoderm and a robot apparatus including the same. According to various embodiments, the soft actuate includes a plurality of ossicle elements arranged in a specific structure, wherein an interval between the plurality of ossicle elements is maintained or reduced depending on vacuum generation to change the stiffness of the soft actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jung Kim, Hwayeong Jeong
  • Patent number: 11293527
    Abstract: A vehicle power unit has a transmission apparatus including a transmission, and a transmission actuating mechanism including a speed reduction gear train having multiple speed reduction stages for transmitting power from a drive gear on a drive shaft of a shift motor to a driven gear on a drum turning shaft of a shift drum. The speed reduction gear train has a speed reduction ratio ranging from 23 to 45, and the shift motor is a DC electric motor that produces a pulsating cogging torque having a maximum value ranging from 0.04 to 0.07 Nm. The vehicle power unit enables the transmission actuating mechanism to be made up of a reduced number of parts and to be simple in structure, making the transmission apparatus small in size, and ensures quicker and smoother gear changes with an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kittaka, Takashi Kudo
  • Patent number: 11292125
    Abstract: A low-back-clearance robot speed reducer includes a wheel holder (16), a pin gear shell (1), a first cycloidal wheel (6), a roller pin (8), a second cycloidal wheel (11), a gland (2), an elastic member (9), a first cross-shaped slider (5), a second cross-shaped slider (13) and a crankshaft (10). The first cycloidal wheel (6) and the second cycloidal wheel (11) are in a phase relation of 180 degrees and have a multi-point engagement transmission relationship with the pin gear shell (1) and the roller pin (8). The first cross-shaped slider (5) and the second cross-shaped slider (13) form a double cross-shaped slider structure, in which the groove profile of the sliders is of a trapezoidal groove structure. A clearance is automatically axially compensated by the elastic member (9). The center of rotation of the crankshaft (10) is coaxial with the wheel holder (16) and the gland (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN LLMACHINECO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Tan, Xianhong Cao
  • Patent number: 11285622
    Abstract: A wrist structure of a robot capable of protecting an oil seal of a wrist structure from a high-pressure jet for cleaning or from external foreign matter or the like. A wrist structure of a robot includes a wrist body, a holder attached to the wrist body, a wrist flange rotatably supported by the holder, an oil storage provided between the wrist body and the holder, an oil seal disposed between the holder and the wrist flange and configured to prevent oil from leaking from the oil storage, and a cover that is formed integrally with the holder and that covers the oil seal from the outside between the holder and the wrist flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Matsui
  • Patent number: 11260543
    Abstract: A releasable joint between two component flanges is for use in a robot arm. The flanges have a number of teeth on each part that is pressed into contact by clamps, screws or other means. The releasable joint assembly is suitable for establishing a robot joint between a first and second component each having interlocking annular flange with respective contact surfaces, and where these flanges are held in place by a clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ROBOTS A/S
    Inventor: Steffen Johansen
  • Patent number: 11261964
    Abstract: A multi-directional compliant shifting mechanism for a multi-speed power tool may couple a movable selector to a power transmission system of the tool, for selecting an operational speed of the multi-speed power tool. The complaint shifting mechanism may provide shifting compliance in a first direction in response to movement of the selector in a first direction, and may provide shifting compliance in a second direction in response to movement of the selector in a second direction. In one example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by interaction of the selector with a camming surface, in combination with a single compression spring. In another example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by first and second springs, selectively acting to provide compliance in the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Kelleher, Louis Marvin Vasiliades, Matthew Ronald Miller
  • Patent number: 11254017
    Abstract: A mechanical positioning structure includes a first positioning mechanism, a fixing post arranged through a central axis of the first positioning mechanism, a first driving mechanism, a second positioning mechanism rotationally arranged on the fixing post and coupled to the first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism, and a platform. One end of the first driving mechanism is fixed on the fixing post. Another end of the first driving mechanism is slidably arranged on the first positioning mechanism. The second driving mechanism is arranged on the second positioning mechanism. The platform is arranged on the second driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism drives the second positioning mechanism to move on a surface of the first positioning mechanism and rotate the second positioning mechanism around the fixing post. The second driving mechanism drives the platform to move on the second positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Song-Hao Liu
  • Patent number: 11241803
    Abstract: A robot for testing lower limb performance of a spacesuit includes a pressure maintaining box, an air circulation component, an air cooling unit, heat radiating hose components, and two mechanical legs. The air cooling unit is connected with the pressure maintaining box; the air circulation component is arranged in the pressure maintaining box; the mechanical legs are installed on the pressure maintaining box, and the heat radiating hose components are arranged in the mechanical legs; air in the pressure maintaining box is cooled through the air cooling unit and delivered into the heat radiating hose components through the air circulation component; each mechanical leg comprises a thigh, a knee joint component, a shank, an ankle joint component and a foot; the thigh is connected with the shank through the knee joint component; the shank is connected with the foot through the ankle joint component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SHENYANG INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Jinguo Liu, Haodong Chi, Zheng Li, Tiejun Wang, Keli Chen, Qiang Sun, Lei Xiao, Huaqiang Sun, Xiaoyuan Liu, Cao Tong
  • Patent number: 11224488
    Abstract: A surgical robot comprising an articulated arm, the arm having a terminal portion comprising: a distal segment having an attachment for a surgical instrument; an intermediate segment; and a basal segment whereby the terminal portion is attached to the remainder of the arm; a first articulation between the distal segment and the intermediate segment, the first articulation permitting relative rotation of the distal segment and the intermediate segment about a first axis; and a second articulation between the intermediate segment and the basal segment, the second articulation permitting relative rotation of the intermediate segment and the basal segment about a second axis; wherein: the intermediate segment comprises a third articulation permitting relative rotation of the distal segment and the basal segment about third and fourth axes; and the first, second and third articulations are arranged such that in at least one configuration of the third articulation the first and second axes are parallel and the thir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: CMR SURGICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Luke David Ronald Hares, Steven James Randle