Patents by Inventor Koji MUNETO

Koji MUNETO 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: 11717964
    Abstract: A control device for a robot is configured to control operation of a robotic arm having a plurality of links coupled to each other through a rotation axis, and a motor for drive provided to the rotation axis. The control device includes an angle calculating module configured to calculate an angle formed by the two links adjacent to each other through the rotation axis, and an angle monitoring module configured to monitor whether the angle calculated by the angle calculating module is a given angle or below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Muneto, Atsushi Kameyama
  • Patent number: 11403687
    Abstract: The method includes urging a customer a selection of a base robot that becomes a base of the robot by communicating electronic data, receiving the selection of the base robot, extracting variable specification items of the selected base robot based on information related to variable specifications among a given basic specification of the base robot from a variable specification database, determining a special order specification in which at least one of the variable specification items is changed from the basic specification, searching the information related to component parts of the base robot and parts attachable to the base robot for parts that constitute the robot so that the special order specification is realized, presenting to the customer a virtual object of the robot where the searched parts are mounted to the base robot, urging the customer an input of an order for the robot, and receiving the order for the robot and accepting the order for the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Koji Muneto, Atsushi Kameyama
  • Patent number: 11331816
    Abstract: An articulated robot includes: different types of joint units, each including a stationary body, a stationary body-side mechanical connector for connection to another unit, a displaceable body coupled to the stationary body by a coupler, a displaceable body-side mechanical connector for connection to another unit, and an actuator to displace the displaceable body relative to the stationary body; and a control unit including a controller to control the actuator and a control unit mechanical connector for connection to another unit, wherein displacement undergone by the displaceable body-side mechanical connector relative to the stationary body-side mechanical connector differs depending on the type of the joint unit, the stationary body-side mechanical connector includes a first connection structure, the displaceable body-side mechanical connector and the control unit mechanical connector each include a second connection structure, and the first and the second connection structure are connectable to each other
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Muneto, Shinji Kitamura, Atsushi Kameyama
  • Publication number: 20220117691
    Abstract: An adaptor according one or more embodiments may include a base body and an arm engagement part including an engagement portion to be engaged with the robot arm at an engagement position and a contact portion with which a release tool comes in contact. The arm engagement part may be configured such that the contact portion comes in contact with the release tool when the release tool is inserted through the tool insertion hole, a part of the arm engagement part is moved into an escape space in the base body when the contact portion is moved in a direction orthogonal to an insertion direction of the release tool, and the engagement portion of the arm engagement part is moved, when the release tool is further inserted, from the engagement position to the disengagement position, which disengages the engagement portion of the arm engagement part from the robot arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: MEDICAROID CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji AGO, Koji MUNETO, Kazuhiro SATO
  • Patent number: 11234777
    Abstract: An adaptor according to one or more embodiments may include a drive transmission member to transmit a driving force from a driving member of a drive part to a driven member of a surgical instrument. The drive transmission member may include: a first member to be fitted to the driven member of the surgical instrument; and a second member relatively movable with respect to the first member in directions toward the surgical instrument and toward the drive part and to be fitted to the driving member. The second member may include a movement restriction part that comes in contact with the driven member to restrict a movement of the second member toward the surgical instrument in a state where the driving member of the drive part is fitted to the second member and the driven member of the surgical instrument is fitted to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: MEDICAROID CORPORATION, KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Ago, Koji Muneto
  • Publication number: 20210362336
    Abstract: A control device for a robot is configured to control operation of a robotic arm having a plurality of links coupled to each other through a rotation axis, and a motor for drive provided to the rotation axis. The control device includes an angle calculating module configured to calculate an angle formed by the two links adjacent to each other through the rotation axis, and an angle monitoring module configured to monitor whether the angle calculated by the angle calculating module is a given angle or below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji MUNETO, Atsushi KAMEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210330410
    Abstract: In a surgical robot, an operation unit includes an enable switch and an operation tool configured to control a moving direction of an arm, and the enable switch and the operation tool are arranged apart from each other within a range operable by fingers of one hand of an operator in the operation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicants: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MEDICAROID CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji KISHIDA, Tsuyoshi TOJO, Toshihiko TAKAGI, Hiroaki KITATSUJI, Koji MUNETO
  • Publication number: 20210187743
    Abstract: A robot controlling device controls operation of a robot having a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm. The robot controlling device includes a distance calculating module configured to calculate a distance between a tip end of the first robotic arm and a tip end of the second robotic arm, and a distance monitoring module configured to monitor whether the distance calculated by the distance calculating module is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji MUNETO, Atsushi KAMEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210154864
    Abstract: An articulated robot includes: different types of joint units, each including a stationary body, a stationary body-side mechanical connector for connection to another unit, a displaceable body coupled to the stationary body by a coupler, a displaceable body-side mechanical connector for connection to another unit, and an actuator to displace the displaceable body relative to the stationary body; and a control unit including a controller to control the actuator and a control unit mechanical connector for connection to another unit, wherein displacement undergone by the displaceable body-side mechanical connector relative to the stationary body-side mechanical connector differs depending on the type of the joint unit, the stationary body-side mechanical connector includes a first connection structure, the displaceable body-side mechanical connector and the control unit mechanical connector each include a second connection structure, and the first and the second connection structure are connectable to each other
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji MUNETO, Shinji KITAMURA, Atsushi KAMEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20200305990
    Abstract: An adaptor according to one or more embodiments may include a drive transmission member to transmit a driving force from a driving member of a drive part to a driven member of a surgical instrument. The drive transmission member may include: a first member to be fitted to the driven member of the surgical instrument; and a second member relatively movable with respect to the first member in directions toward the surgical instrument and toward the drive part and to be fitted to the driving member. The second member may include a movement restriction part that comes in contact with the driven member to restrict a movement of the second member toward the surgical instrument in a state where the driving member of the drive part is fitted to the second member and the driven member of the surgical instrument is fitted to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicants: MEDICAROID CORPORATION, KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji AGO, Koji MUNETO
  • Patent number: 10730191
    Abstract: A monitoring device of a robot system including: a current sensor detecting a value of a current flowing through the servo motor; a current/torque converting the value of the current flowing through the servo motor which is detected by the current sensor into a torque value; a driving torque estimating section estimating at least a part of driving torque required to drive the servo motor; a differential torque calculating differential torque between the torque value obtained by conversion in the current/torque converting section and an estimated value of the driving torque; an external force converting the differential torque calculated by the differential torque calculating section into an external force applied to the robot; and a stop signal generating section which generates to stop the robot based on a value of the external force obtained by conversion in the external force converting section, and supplies the stop signal to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Muneto
  • Publication number: 20200198125
    Abstract: A robot includes at least two or more types of component units and a control unit configured to control an operation of each component unit. The respective units are configured to be detachable from each other. The control unit is configured to be able to collect configuration data of each of the component units and acquire connection data regarding connection states of all the component units connected to the control unit based on the collected configuration data. A determination portion that stores a predetermined connection form of each component unit, which is controllable by the control unit, in advance as verification data and determines whether or not connection data acquired by the control unit matches the verification data is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji MUNETO, Atsushi KAMEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20200005377
    Abstract: The method includes urging a customer a selection of a base robot that becomes a base of the robot by communicating electronic data, receiving the selection of the base robot, extracting variable specification items of the selected base robot based on information related to variable specifications among a given basic specification of the base robot from a variable specification database, determining a special order specification in which at least one of the variable specification items is changed from the basic specification, searching the information related to component parts of the base robot and parts attachable to the base robot for parts that constitute the robot so that the special order specification is realized, presenting to the customer a virtual object of the robot where the searched parts are mounted to the base robot, urging the customer an input of an order for the robot, and receiving the order for the robot and accepting the order for the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko HASHIMOTO, Koji MUNETO, Atsushi KAMEYAMA
  • Patent number: 10442080
    Abstract: A monitoring device of a robot system includes: an external force detecting portion configured to detect external force acting on a robot; an area determining portion configured to determine whether or not a predetermined portion of the robot is located within a predetermined area; a force monitoring portion configured to detect collision of the robot based on a first monitoring criterion including at least monitoring of the external force acting on the robot, and when the area determining portion determines that the predetermined portion of the robot is not located within the predetermined area, detect the collision based on a second monitoring criterion not including the monitoring of the external force; and a stop signal generating portion configured to, when the force monitoring portion detects the collision, generate a stop signal of the robot 2 and supply the stop signal to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Muneto
  • Publication number: 20190299404
    Abstract: A robot teaching apparatus includes a portable terminal device having a display unit for displaying control contents of the robot, an input unit for inputting the control contents of the robot, and a communication unit for communicating with the outside, and a robot operation portion having a safety securing unit for securing safety operation of the robot, and a communication unit for communicating with the portable terminal device. The portable terminal device is detachably connected to the robot operation portion. This device enables use of the portable terminal device in the teaching of robot operation and has a safety function which works reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji MUNETO
  • Publication number: 20180361578
    Abstract: A monitoring device of a robot system includes: an external force detecting portion configured to detect external force acting on a robot; an area determining portion configured to determine whether or not a predetermined portion of the robot is located within a predetermined area; a force monitoring portion configured to detect collision of the robot based on a first monitoring criterion including at least monitoring of the external force acting on the robot, and when the area determining portion determines that the predetermined portion of the robot is not located within the predetermined area, detect the collision based on a second monitoring criterion not including the monitoring of the external force; and a stop signal generating portion configured to, when the force monitoring portion detects the collision, generate a stop signal of the robot 2 and supply the stop signal to the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji MUNETO
  • Publication number: 20180311836
    Abstract: A monitoring device of a robot system including: a current sensor detecting a value of a current flowing through the servo motor; a current/torque converting the value of the current flowing through the servo motor which is detected by the current sensor into a torque value; a driving torque estimating section estimating at least a part of driving torque required to drive the servo motor; a differential torque calculating differential torque between the torque value obtained by conversion in the current/torque converting section and an estimated value of the driving torque; an external force converting the differential torque calculated by the differential torque calculating section into an external force applied to the robot; and a stop signal generating section which generates to stop the robot based on a value of the external force obtained by conversion in the external force converting section, and supplies the stop signal to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji MUNETO
  • Patent number: 9979327
    Abstract: The system has a converter for converting an AC current into a DC current, an inverter for inverting the DC power supplied from the converter into an AC power, a servo control device for controlling a drive of a servo motor, and a resistance regenerating circuit for consuming a regenerative energy. The servo control device has a plurality of motor control portions for enabling a plurality of servo motors to be controlled and a plurality of control port portions corresponding to a plurality of motor control portions. At least one of the plurality of motor control portions is configured so that a power supply regenerating control function portion and a control function portion for the servo motor can be switched. The robot control system capable of suppressing the increase of the development cost and adding the power supply regenerating function can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tagashira, Koji Muneto
  • Publication number: 20160329841
    Abstract: The system has a converter for converting an AC current into a DC current, an inverter for inverting the DC power supplied from the converter into an AC power, a servo control device for controlling a drive of a servo motor, and a resistance regenerating circuit for consuming a regenerative energy. The servo control device has a plurality of motor control portions for enabling a plurality of servo motors to be controlled and a plurality of control port portions corresponding to a plurality of motor control portions. At least one of the plurality of motor control portions is configured so that a power supply regenerating control function portion and a control function portion for the servo motor can be switched. The robot control system capable of suppressing the increase of the development cost and adding the power supply regenerating function can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi TAGASHIRA, Koji MUNETO