Patents by Inventor Seigo Sakata

Seigo Sakata 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).

  • Publication number: 20190099878
    Abstract: In a link actuation device, a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms such that a posture of the distal end side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal end side link hub, and a posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub is arbitrarily changed by actuators provided to two or more link mechanisms. The manipulating device includes a posture acquirer for acquiring a distal end posture represented by a bending angle and a turning angle, from a coordinate position at which a distal end side spherical link center is projected onto a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system that has an origin located on an extension of an axis of the proximal end side link hub and is orthogonal to the extension of the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki MARUI, Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo SAKATA
  • Publication number: 20180290294
    Abstract: A distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms. Each link mechanism has a proximal side end link member, a distal side end link member, and an intermediate link member. The proximal side end link member has a bent portion and rotation shaft mounting portions. A rotation shaft is mounted to the rotation shaft mounting portion. A bevel gear, forming a part of a gear mechanism for transmitting rotary motion of a posture control actuator to the proximal side end link member, is mounted on the rotation shaft mounting portion and disposed in a space between two virtual planes obtained by extending a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge of one end of the bent portion in a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzou NOSE, Hiroshi !SOBE, Seigo SAKATA
  • Patent number: 10065310
    Abstract: In this link actuation device, arms of a plurality of link mechanisms are driven to be rotated by actuators, whereby the posture of a distal end side link hub is changed. A divided section setter divides a trajectory on a work surface on which an end effector works, into a plurality of sections at pass points and sets the sections. An arm rotation speed calculator calculates a rotation speed at which each arm performs constant speed rotation in each section on the basis of: a time period of movement in the section which is determined from a target moving speed and the distance of the section; and a rotation-angular movement amount of the arm in the section. A posture change controller performs positioning control on each actuator so as to cause its corresponding arm to continuously rotate at the corresponding rotation speed without acceleration/deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Sakata, Yukihiro Nishio, Hiroshi Isobe, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20180236619
    Abstract: A work apparatus includes a parallel link mechanism, a position control actuator, a linear motion mechanism, and a rotating mechanism. The parallel link mechanism includes three or more link mechanisms that couple a distal end side link hub to a proximal end side link hub such that a position of the distal end side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal end side link hub. The position control actuator operates the parallel link mechanism. The linear motion mechanism moves a working body in an axial direction orthogonal to a central axis of the proximal end side link hub. The rotating mechanism is mounted on the distal end side link hub and rotates a work object about a rotation center axis parallel to a movement direction of the linear motion mechanism when the central axis and a central axis are on the same line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzou NOSE, Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo SAKATA, Hiroyuki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20180207810
    Abstract: A combination link actuation device has two link actuation devices combined with each other. Each link actuation device is provided so as to connect a distal end side link hub to a proximal end side link hub such that an orientation of the distal end side link hub is changed relative to the proximal end side link hub through three link mechanisms aligned in a circumferential direction. An orientation controlling actuator is provided in two or more link mechanisms among the three link mechanisms to optionally change an orientation of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub. At least one circumferential separation angle among separation angles of the three link mechanisms is greater than 120°. The two link actuation devices are disposed such that portions, of the link mechanisms, where the separation angle is greater than 120° oppose each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya KONAGAI, Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo SAKATA, Naoki MARUI, Kenzou NOSE
  • Publication number: 20180207800
    Abstract: A diagnostic device may be used for a link actuation device. A distal end side link hub may be coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms such that posture of the distal end side link hub can be changed. Each of the three or more link mechanisms may be associated with a respective one of actuators. A predetermined action may be carried out under a predetermined condition by driving each of the actuators. A preload applicator may cause a preload to be applied to the link actuation device. A torque detector may detect a drive torque of each of the actuators while a preload is being applied. A determiner may determine whether or not the torque that is detected by the torque detector lies within a predetermined range. A notifier may notify the determination result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Marui, Hiroshi Isobe, Yukihiro Nishio, Seigo Sakata
  • Publication number: 20180200826
    Abstract: An automatic welding machine includes a link actuator in which a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms and the position of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub can be arbitrarily changed. The automatic welding machine is provided with one or more linear motion actuators configured to cause the proximal end side link hub of the link actuator to advance/retract relative to a mount along respective axes, and a welding torch is mounted on the distal end side link hub. The automatic welding machine further includes a movement mechanism on which peripheral devices connected to the welding torch via cables are mounted so as to be movable in one or more axial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya KONAGAI, Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo SAKATA, Hiroyuki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20180194002
    Abstract: The composite work apparatus includes: two link actuation devices that support two working bodies such that postures of the working bodies can be individually changed; and three or more linear motion actuators that move the two link actuation devices and two or more work objects relative to each other. In each link actuation device, a distal end side link hub is connected to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms such that a posture of the distal end side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal end side link hub, and a posture control actuator that arbitrarily changes the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub is provided to each of two or more link mechanisms of the three or more link mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Naoki Marui, Kenzou Nose
  • Patent number: 9855621
    Abstract: Automatic welding machine includes: a welding torch mounted to a link actuation device set on a mount; and a one-or-more-axes linear motion actuator which causes the link actuation device to advance and retract relative to the mount. The link actuation device includes: a proximal end side link hub disposed on the mount; a distal end side link hub to which the welding torch is mounted; and three or more link mechanisms configured to couple the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes proximal side and distal side end link members and an intermediate link member. Two or more link mechanisms are each provided with a posture changing actuator which arbitrarily changes the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Yukihiro Nishio, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 9821454
    Abstract: This link actuation device includes: a proximal end side link hub; a distal end side link hub; and three or more link mechanisms which each couple the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes: proximal side and distal side end link members, and an intermediate link member. The link mechanism is provided with an actuator which arbitrarily changes the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub. A workpiece is disposed on the proximal end side link hub, and an end effector is disposed in the distal end side link hub so as to face inside of arrangement of the link hubs and perform work onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20170268640
    Abstract: An operation device for a link actuating device (51) is provided with a target value input unit (57) having a height direction target value input portion (57z) that allows input of a movement amount in a height direction or a coordinate position in the height direction, which causes the distal end posture of the link actuating device (51) to be changed only in the height direction along a central axis of a proximal end side link hub (12). Input converter (58) is provided to calculate, by using an inputted value, a target distal end posture of the link actuating device (51). The Input converter (58) further calculates a command operation amount of each actuator (53) from the result of the calculation, and inputs the command operation amount to the control device (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo SAKATA, Yukihiro NISHIO, Hiroshi ISOBE, Naoya KONAGAI, Hiroyuki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20170014994
    Abstract: In this parallel link mechanism, a distal end side link hub is coupled to a proximal end side link hub via three or more link mechanisms such that the posture of the distal end side link hub can be altered relative to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes proximal side and distal side end link members and an intermediate link member. Each end link member includes: a curved member curved by an arbitrary angle; and a rotation shaft support member fixed to one end of or each of opposite ends of the curved member, and configured to support a rotation shaft rotatably coupled directly or via a bearing to the intermediate link member or the link hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Naoya Konagai, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20160361816
    Abstract: In this link actuation device, arms of a plurality of link mechanisms are driven to be rotated by actuators, whereby the posture of a distal end side link hub is changed. A divided section setter divides a trajectory on a work surface on which an end effector works, into a plurality of sections at pass points and sets the sections. An arm rotation speed calculator calculates a rotation speed at which each arm performs constant speed rotation in each section on the basis of: a time period of movement in the section which is determined from a target moving speed and the distance of the section; and a rotation-angular movement amount of the arm in the section. A posture change controller performs positioning control on each actuator so as to cause its corresponding arm to continuously rotate at the corresponding rotation speed without acceleration/deceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo SAKATA, Yukihiro NISHIO, Hiroshi ISOBE, Hiroyuki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20160256998
    Abstract: This link actuation device includes: a proximal end side link hub; a distal end side link hub; and three or more link mechanisms which each couple the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes: proximal side and distal side end link members, and an intermediate link member. The link mechanism is provided with an actuator which arbitrarily changes the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub. A workpiece is disposed on the proximal end side link hub, and an end effector is disposed in the distal end side link hub so as to face inside of arrangement of the link hubs and perform work onto the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo SAKATA, Hiroyuki YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20160256952
    Abstract: Automatic welding machine includes: a welding torch mounted to a link actuation device set on a mount; and a one-or-more-axes linear motion actuator which causes the link actuation device to advance and retract relative to the mount. The link actuation device includes: a proximal end side link hub disposed on the mount; a distal end side link hub to which the welding torch is mounted; and three or more link mechanisms configured to couple the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes proximal side and distal side end link members and an intermediate link member. Two or more link mechanisms are each provided with a posture changing actuator which arbitrarily changes the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi ISOBE, Seigo Sakata, Yukihiro Nishio, Hiroyuki Yamada