Abstract: A device used to lay line elements such as electric and/or fluid lines between a stationary housing and a moving housing. The device includes a double pipe structure having an inner pipe member and an outer pipe member. The outer pipe member is attached to the moving housing and rotatably supported by the stationary housing. The inner and outer pipe members are arranged in a generally coaxial relationship and coupled to each other by a coupling member. The line elements, which extend between a holding portion on the stationary housing and a holding portion on the moving housing, are divided into first and second groups, and the first group of line elements is laid to extend through an inner hole of the inner pipe member while the second group of line elements is laid to extend through an annular gap formed between the inner and outer pipe members.

Abstract: Pipes and/or wires extend in a bundle from a hollow portion of a second wrist element to a hollow portion of first wrist element of a robot. The first wrist element can rotate relatively to the second wrist element around an axis that passes through the two hollow portions. This bundle is divided into a plurality of split bundles in the hollow portion of the first wrist element. The split bundles are led out individually through a plurality of openings in the sidewall of the first wrist element and are connected to a working unit on a flange portion of the first wrist element.

Abstract: A managing device having a simple structure for an umbilical member or a conduit and a robot having the managing device, by which an interference region of the conduit is reduced as much as possible and the undesirable excess length of the conduit may be cancelled without using an auxiliary device. A first conduit supporting member is arranged on an upper arm of the robot and a second conduit supporting member is arranged on a wrist element of the robot. The conduit is fixed to or twistably supported by the first and second supporting member. Further, the conduit is held by a holding member, mounted between the first and second supporting member, in particular, adjacent to the side of a forearm of the robot, such that the conduit may slide relative to the holding member and may rotate about axes along and perpendicular to the sliding direction of the conduit.

Abstract: A line laying structure for a wrist of a robot capable of enhancing durability of lines of cables/pipes for flowing electricity, air, water, etc. to an end effector attached to the wrist, and reducing a restriction of angle of rotation of a wrist axis by rotation of the other wrist axes. First, second and third wrist elements of the wrist are rotatable around fist, second and third axes, respectively. The first wrist element is fixed to a distal end of a forearm of the robot, to be rotated on a mounting base with the forearm as a unit. The lines are clamped on the mounting base by a line retainer and laid inside the forearm and clamped at a distal end of the forearm inside and outside thereof by line retainers. The lines are then clamped by line retainers provided on the second wrist element and introduced to the third wrist element. Then, the lines are clamped by the line retainer provided on the third wrist element and drawn outside thereof to be connected with the end effector.

Abstract: A guiding device, with high rigidity, for an umbilical member and a robot having the guiding device, by which interference between the umbilical member and another component or external equipment is minimized. The guiding device or an adaptor includes a first plate member fixed to a third wrist element, a second plate member opposing to and parallel to the first plate member, and a connecting member for connecting the first and second plate members. The first and second plate members and the connecting member define a first opening for introducing the umbilical member into the adaptor. The second includes a fixed portion fixed to an end effector and an extended portion extending from the fixed portion and offset from the third wrist axis. A second opening is formed on the extending portion of the second plate member, through which the umbilical member may extend.

Abstract: A wrist driving mechanism capable of arranging a large amount of cables and pipes in a robot arm. A robot wrist mechanism having three degrees of freedom is driven by first, second and third drive shafts for transmitting driving forces of first, second and third motors M4, M5 and M6, respectively. The first drive shaft is a hollow shaft for transmitting a rotational driving force from the motor M4 to a first wrist element supported rotatably around the first axis B1. The second and third drive shafts are arranged eccentrically with the first axis B1 in an inner space of the first drive shaft. The second drive shaft transmits a rotational driving force from the motor M5 to a second wrist element supported rotatably around the second axis B2, and the third drive shaft transmits a rotational force from the motor M6 to a third wrist element supported rotatably around the third axis B3.

Abstract: A laser welding nozzle used as a working tool, a linear movement mechanism of a pressing device, and a servomotor are fixed to a bracket. A roller support frame is fixed on a moving side of the linear movement mechanism. A roller is pivotally mounted at a distal end of the roller support frame. The roller is located in the vicinity of a weld point of the laser welding nozzle. By driving the servomotor in a controlled manner, a portion in the vicinity of the weld point of a plate portion to be welded is pressed by the roller to restrain a floating of the weld portion, by which a gap between the plate portions is regulated, and thus uniform weld can be obtained. The pressing position, speed, and pressing force of roller can be controlled easily, so that the pressing device can be used for various types of workpieces.

Abstract: A robot arm is provided at a forward end thereof with a rotation shaft member rotatable about a rotation axis thereof, in which a hollow portion is formed along the rotation axis. A laying device for laying a line element includes a relaying means for relaying an arm side section of the line element, extending through the hollow portion out of a lead-out opening formed on a side of the rotation shaft member, to a tool side section of the line element extending from the tool. A direction in which the relaying means connects the line element is substantially parallel to a tool mount surface and forms an angle other than 0° with regard to a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A device according to the present invention is used to lay line elements such as electric and/or fluid lines between a stationary housing and a moving housing. The device includes a double pipe structure having an inner pipe member and an outer pipe member. The outer pipe member is attached to the moving housing and rotatably supported by the stationary housing. The inner and outer pipe members are arranged in a generally coaxial relationship and coupled to each other by a coupling member. The line elements, which extend between a holding portion on the stationary housing and a holding portion on the moving housing, are divided into first and second groups, and the first group of line elements is laid to extend through an inner hole of said inner pipe member while the second group of line elements is laid to extend through an annular gap formed between the inner and outer pipe members.

Abstract: Pipes and/or wires extend in a bundle from a hollow portion of a second wrist element to a hollow portion of first wrist element of a robot. The first wrist element can rotate relatively to the second wrist element around an axis that passes through the two hollow portions. This bundle is divided into a plurality of split bundles in the hollow portion of the first wrist element. The split bundles are led out individually through a plurality of openings in the sidewall of the first wrist element and are connected to a working unit on a flange portion of the first wrist element.

Abstract: A wrist driving mechanism capable of arranging a large amount of cables and pipes in a robot arm. A robot wrist mechanism having three degrees of freedom is driven by first, second and third drive shafts for transmitting driving forces of first, second and third motors M4, M5 and M6, respectively. The first drive shaft is a hollow shaft for transmitting a rotational driving force from the motor M4 to a first wrist element supported rotatably around the first axis B1. The second and third drive shafts are arranged eccentrically with the first axis B1 in an inner space of the first drive shaft. The second drive shaft transmits a rotational driving force from the motor M5 to a second wrist element supported rotatably around the second axis B2, and the third drive shaft transmits a rotational force from the motor M6 to a third wrist element supported rotatably around the third axis B3.

Abstract: A line laying structure for a wrist of a robot capable of enhancing durability of lines of cables/pipes for flowing electricity, air, water, etc. to an end effector attached to the wrist, and reducing a restriction of angle of rotation of a wrist axis by rotation of the other wrist axes. First, second and third wrist elements of the wrist are rotatable around fist, second and third axes, respectively. The first wrist element is fixed to a distal end of a forearm of the robot, to be rotated on a mounting base with the forearm as a unit. The lines are clamped on the mounting base by a line retainer and laid inside the forearm and clamped at a distal end of the forearm inside and outside thereof by line retainers. The lines are then clamped by line retainers provided on the second wrist element and introduced to the third wrist element. Then, the lines are clamped by the line retainer provided on the third wrist element and drawn outside thereof to be connected with the end effector.

Abstract: A laser welding nozzle used as a working tool, a linear movement mechanism of a pressing device, and a servomotor are fixed to a bracket. A roller support frame is fixed on a moving side of the linear movement mechanism. A roller is pivotally mounted at a distal end of the roller support frame. The roller is located in the vicinity of a weld point of the laser welding nozzle. By driving the servomotor in a controlled manner, a portion in the vicinity of the weld point of a plate portion to be welded is pressed by the roller to restrain a floating of the weld portion, by which a gap between the plate portions is regulated, and thus uniform weld can be obtained. The pressing position, speed, and pressing force of roller can be controlled easily, so that the pressing device can be used for various types of workpieces.

Abstract: Polyene compounds of the formula: ##EQU1## wherein R' is protected or unprotected hydroxyl or a group of the formula: ##EQU2## (in which R" and R"' are each carboxyl or a group convertible into carboxyl on hydrolysis), m is a positive integer and n is 0 or a positive integer, which are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of coenzyme Q, can be produced advantageously through a step for the dehydration of a compound of the formula: ##EQU3## wherein R', m and n are each as defined above.