Patents by Inventor Gunther Merk

Gunther Merk 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: 10987817
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot (1) having a robot arm (2) with a plurality of axes (9, 10) designed for a high payload and having a weight equalization system (12) based on gas for at least one of the axes (9), whose pressurized components (13-15) each have a volume of less than 1 liter and a maximum pressure of less than 1000 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Bayer, Gunther Merk
  • Patent number: 8219245
    Abstract: To increase the safety of an articulated arm robot with robot members connected by means of joints as open kinematics and with functional elements acting on the joints, such as drive motors, gears, brakes and a weight balance system, while reducing the mechanical limitations of the motion space of the robot, the present invention provides that at least some of the said functional elements have a dual design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Günther Merk, Joachim Markert, Rainer Krumbacher
  • Publication number: 20110072930
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot (1) having a robot arm (2) with a plurality of axes (9, 10) designed for a high payload and having a weight equalization system (12) based on gas for at least one of the axes (9), whose pressurized components (13-15) each have a volume of less than 1 liter and a maximum pressure of less than 1000 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventors: Albert Bayer, Günther Merk
  • Patent number: 7603927
    Abstract: An automatic manipulator, such as a multiaxial industrial robot, with a carrying component structure (support structure) for transmitting forces between individual members of the automatic manipulator. The entire support structure is formed from a material that is resistant with respect to external effects, such as moisture or the like. The material of the support structure may be, in particular, a material that is suitable for use in contact with foods, such as stainless steel, so that the automatic manipulator according to the present invention can be used reliably and without additional costly protective measures in environments in which there is a risk for contamination, such as in the food industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Markert, Günther Merk
  • Patent number: 7464622
    Abstract: A manipulator, such as a multiaxial industrial robot (1), particularly for use in contamination-endangered environments, including a plurality of scavenging areas (1.8a, 1.8b) to which a scavenging medium can be supplied and located in the vicinity of the drive unit of the manipulator. A plurality of groups of drive units has in each case its own scavenging area (1.8a, 1.8b) associated with it. A method is also provided for influencing at least one ambient condition, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, contamination and/or bacterial presence, in the vicinity of the drive units of a manipulator. This reliably ensures a safe operation of the inventive manipulator (1), even in areas with strict hygiene requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Markert, Günther Merk
  • Publication number: 20070265731
    Abstract: To increase the safety of an articulated arm robot with robot members connected by means of joints as open kinematics and with functional elements acting on the joints, such as drive motors, gears, brakes and a weight balance system, while reducing the mechanical limitations of the motion space of the robot, the present invention provides that at least some of the said functional elements have a dual design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Gunther Merk, Joachim Markert, Rainer Krumbacher
  • Publication number: 20050126327
    Abstract: A manipulator, such as a multiaxial industrial robot (1), particularly for use in contamination-endangered environments, is provided with a plurality of scavenging areas (1.8a, 1.8b) to which a scavenging medium can be supplied and located in the vicinity of the drive unit of the manipulator, characterized in that according to the invention a plurality of groups of drive units has in each case its own scavenging area (1.8a, 1.8b) associated with it. Thus, the invention creates a method for influencing at least one ambient condition, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, contamination and/or bacterial presence, in the vicinity of the drive units of a manipulator. This reliably ensures a safe operation of the inventive manipulator (1), even in areas with strict hygiene requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Joachim Markert, Gunther Merk
  • Publication number: 20050111940
    Abstract: A device (1) with at least two parts (2, 3) rotatable in relation to one another, such as a gear mechanism, especially for a multiaxial industrial robot, in which a seal (4) is arranged between the parts (2, 3) rotatable in relation to one another, is wherein at least one additional seal (5) is arranged between the parts (2, 3) rotatable in relation to one another. The device (1) thus has a sealing arrangement (4, 5), which reliably prevents both the entry of water and/or dirt into the device and the escape of potentially contaminating substances from the device into the environment. The device (1) can thus also be used in areas that are at risk for contamination, such as in the food-processing industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Joachim Markert, Gunther Merk
  • Publication number: 20050092122
    Abstract: An automatic manipulator, such as a multiaxial industrial robot, with a carrying component structure (support structure) for transmitting forces between individual members of the automatic manipulator. The entire support structure is formed from a material that is inert with respect to external effects, such as moisture or the like. The material of the support structure may be, in particular, a material that is suitable for use in contact with foods, such as stainless steel, so that the automatic manipulator according to the present invention can be used reliably and without additional costly protective measures in environments in which there is a risk for contamination, such as in the food industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Joachim Markert, Gunther Merk
  • Patent number: 6791292
    Abstract: Accompanied by the optimization of the possibilities of use of a robot, particularly with regards to low cycle times and high loads, damage to the robot through exceeding the energy absorbable by the structure is still prevented when robot parts strike against the mechanical structure as a result of faults or errors, according to the invention in a method for controlling the movement of a robot, the kinetic energy of moving robot members (Gi gi+1, . . . , gn) about an axis (Ai) is limited to the energy absorbable in damage-free manner by a mechanical buffer associated with the corresponding axis (Ai).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Weiss, Thomas Finsterwalder, Günther Merk
  • Publication number: 20030020424
    Abstract: Accompanied by the optimization of the possibilities of use of a robot, particularly with regards to low cycle times and high loads, damage to the robot through exceeding the energy absorbable by the structure is still prevented when robot parts strike against the mechanical structure as a result of faults or errors, according to the invention in a method for controlling the movement of a robot, the kinetic energy of moving robot members (Gi gi+1, . . . , gn) about an axis (Ai) is limited to the energy absorbable in damage-free manner by a mechanical buffer associated with the corresponding axis (Ai).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Martin Weiss, Thomas Finsterwalder, Gunther Merk