Patents by Inventor Gernot Nitz

Gernot Nitz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11752643
    Abstract: A robot hand guide device includes a first connection flange configured to connect the robot hand guide device to a tool flange of a robot arm, a second connection flange configured to fasten a tool to be handled by the robot arm to the robot hand guide device, and a transfer apparatus configured to transfer forces and torques between the first connection flange and the second connection flange. A sensor device attached to the transfer apparatus is configured to detect forces and torques transferred via the transfer apparatus. The robot hand guide device further includes at least a first connection element connected to the first connection flange and configured for detachably connecting a guide handle of the robot hand guide device to the first connection flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Sergiy Ostrovski, Dietmar Tscharnuter
  • Patent number: 11549855
    Abstract: A device for measuring mechanical changes includes at least one first resistor which is designed to convert a mechanical change into a change of its resistance value and at least one operational amplifier, wherein the at least first resistor and the operational amplifier are connected such that the at least first resistor serves as input resistance for the operational amplifier and the operational amplifier provides or can provide a measurement result at an output. The first resistor is for example a strain gauge that can be secured to a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Gernot Nitz
  • Publication number: 20220040866
    Abstract: A robot hand guide device includes a first connection flange configured to connect the robot hand guide device to a tool flange of a robot arm, a second connection flange configured to fasten a tool to be handled by the robot arm to the robot hand guide device, and a transfer apparatus configured to transfer forces and torques between the first connection flange and the second connection flange. A sensor device attached to the transfer apparatus is configured to detect forces and torques transferred via the transfer apparatus. The robot hand guide device further includes at least a first connection element connected to the first connection flange and configured for detachably connecting a guide handle of the robot hand guide device to the first connection flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Sergiy Ostrovski, Dietmar Tscharnuter
  • Publication number: 20210372870
    Abstract: A device for measuring mechanical changes includes at least one first resistor which is designed to convert a mechanical change into a change of its resistance value and at least one operational amplifier, wherein the at least first resistor and the operational amplifier are connected such that the at least first resistor serves as input resistance for the operational amplifier and the operational amplifier provides or can provide a measurement result at an output. The first resistor is for example a strain gauge that can be secured to a component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Gernot Nitz
  • Patent number: 10836031
    Abstract: A plug-in adapter includes a thread designed to screw the plug-in adapter to an adjustment instrument, a plug-in device designed for detachably connecting the plug-in adapter to a counter plug-in device of an access opening on a robot for a reference position marking of the robot, and a stylus designed to couple a measuring tip of the adjustment instrument to the reference position marking. The plug-in device has a plug-in section that is designed for axially plugging of the plug-in section into the counter plug-in device of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Tscharnuter, Gernot Nitz, Gerhard Brändle
  • Patent number: 10352793
    Abstract: A torque sensor (10), in particular for detecting torques occurring on or in a joint of an articulated-arm robot. The sensor has several measuring spokes (1, 2, 3, 4) that are designed to deform under the effects of torque; and several strain gauges (DR11, DR12, DR21, DR22, DR31, DR32, DR41, DR42), with two strain gauges being arranged on two opposite sides of the several measuring spokes (1, 2, 3, 4). The several strain gauges are each connected in one of at least two bridge circuits (A, B). The at least two bridge circuits (A, B) are each configured to generate a bridge voltage (Ua, Ub). By detecting and comparing differences in the bridge voltage signals (Ua, Ub) generated by the at least two bridge circuits (A, B); a reliability of the detected bridge voltage signals is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Dietmar Tscharnuter
  • Publication number: 20190168381
    Abstract: A plug-in adapter includes a thread designed to screw the plug-in adapter to an adjustment instrument, a plug-in device designed for detachably connecting the plug-in adapter to a counter plug-in device of an access opening on a robot for a reference position marking of the robot, and a stylus designed to couple a measuring tip of the adjustment instrument to the reference position marking. The plug-in device has a plug-in section that is designed for axially plugging of the plug-in section into the counter plug-in device of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Dietmar Tscharnuter, Gernot Nitz, Gerhard Brändle
  • Publication number: 20170153156
    Abstract: A torque sensor (10), in particular for detecting torques occurring on or in a joint of an articulated-arm robot. The sensor has several measuring spokes (1, 2, 3, 4) that are designed to deform under the effects of torque; and several strain gauges (DR11, DR12, DR21, DR22, DR31, DR32, DR41, DR42), with two strain gauges being arranged on two opposite sides of the several measuring spokes (1, 2, 3, 4). The several strain gauges are each connected in one of at least two bridge circuits (A, B). The at least two bridge circuits (A, B) are each configured to generate a bridge voltage (Ua, Ub). By detecting and comparing differences in the bridge voltage signals (U2, Ub) generated by the at least two bridge circuits (A, B); a reliability of the detected bridge voltage signals is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot NITZ, Dietmar TSCHARNUTER
  • Patent number: 9329092
    Abstract: The invention concerns an industrial robot and a method to determine a torque having an effect on a limb of the robotic arm. The robotic arm has several sequentially arranged limbs, of which a first limb is stored relative to a second limb of the limbs on an axis of rotation, and using a stationary motor relative to the second limb and a gearbox connected to the motor, is rotatable around the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Michael Thummel
  • 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: 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: 8829895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine comprising a first member, a rotatable second member rotatable relative to the first member relative to an axis, a control device, a drive connected with the control device for moving the two members relative to one another, and a first Hall sensor connected with the control device and arranged on the first member. On the second member, a first, second and third magnet are arranged next to each other on a common circular trajectory such, that during a rotation of the two members relative to one another, the first Hall sensor is located at a specific position in the detection zone of the magnets. The second magnet which is developed as the center magnet is facing towards the first Hall sensor with another magnetic pole than the first and third magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Stefan Roth, Dietmar Tscharnuter
  • Publication number: 20130305868
    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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Liebl, Gernot Nitz
  • Patent number: 8319467
    Abstract: A manipulator, in particular a small robot, has at least two motor mutually movable limbs with a motion axis of both limbs being acted on by an axle drive that has an external rotor motor, a position transmitter and a transmission. The transmission has at least one planetary gear set with a center gear and at least one planet meshing with it that also meshes with a ring gear and is mounted on a planet carrier. One of both limbs of the manipulators is torque proof connected with the ring gear and is mounted by this radial and/or axially, and the other is torque proof connected by both limbs of the manipulator with the planet carrier and is mounted by this radial and/or axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Kos, Andreas Weingaertner, Gernot Nitz
  • Publication number: 20120262156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine (R) comprising a first member (1c), a rotatable second member (1c) rotatable relative to the first member (1c) relative to an axis (A), a control device (S), a drive connected with the control device (S) for moving the two members (1c, 1d) relative to one another, and a first Hall sensor (21) connected with the control device (S) and arranged on the first member (1c). On the second member (1d), a first, second and third magnet (31-33) are arranged next to each other on a common circular trajectory (14) such, that during a rotation of the two members (1c, 1d) relative to one another, the first Hall sensor (21) is located at a specific position (P) in the detection zone of the magnets (31-33). The second magnet (32) which is developed as the center magnet is facing towards the first Hall sensor (21) with another magnetic pole than the first and third magnet (31, 33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Stefan Roth, Dietmar Tscharnuter
  • Publication number: 20120232694
    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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventors: Gernot Nitz, Dietmar Tscharnuter, Wolfgang Michel, Rene Rossig, Michael Muller
  • Publication number: 20100180708
    Abstract: A manipulator, in particular a small robot, has at least two motor mutually movable limbs with a motion axis of both limbs being acted on by an axle drive that has an external rotor motor, a position transmitter and a transmission. The transmission has at least one planetary gear set with a center gear and at least one planet meshing with it that also meshes with a ring gear and is mounted on a planet carrier. One of both limbs of the manipulators is torque proof connected with the ring gear and is mounted by this radial and/or axially, and the other is torque proof connected by both limbs of the manipulator with the planet carrier and is mounted by this radial and/or axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Kos, Andreas Weingaertner, Gernot Nitz
  • Publication number: 20100145519
    Abstract: In an industrial robot and a method for operating an industrial robot, a robot arm is pivotable with respect to multiple axes. At least one of the axes has an drive associated therewith for controlling movement of the robot arm with respect to that axis. The electrical drive includes a three-phase synchronous motor that is operated with associated electrical currents and electrical voltages. A signal representing at least one of said electrical currents and electrical voltages is supplied to a computerized control unit that determines, from the signal, the position of the axis associated with the electrical drive. The computerized control unit controls operation of the electrical drive dependent on this determined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Hartmut Keyl, Gernot Nitz