Patents by Inventor Thomas Hezel
Thomas Hezel 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).
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Patent number: 11548164Abstract: The disclosure concerns a coating robot for coating components, having a robot base, a rotatable robot member, a pivotable proximal robot arm with two arm parts which can be rotated relative to one another and are connected to one another by a bearing ring, a pivotable distal robot arm, a robot hand axis, a connecting flange at the free end of the robot hand axis for connecting an application device and with a line arrangement which is guided from the robot base to the connecting flange for the application device. The disclosure provides that the line arrangement is passed through the first bearing ring between the two arm parts of the proximal robot arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: DÜRR SYSTEMS AGInventors: Andreas Collmer, Steffen Hein, Thomas Hezel
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Publication number: 20220214671Abstract: In order to provide a method for analysing quality deficiencies of workpieces, preferably vehicle bodies and/or vehicle attachment parts, in particular after and/or whilst passing through a production process in industrial-method plants, preferably after and/or whilst passing through a painting process in painting plants, by means of which method quality deficiencies can be avoided and/or by means of which method quality deficiency causes in the production process can be determined, avoided and/or remedied, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the method comprises the following steps: creating a workpiece-specific data set, uniquely assigned to a workpiece, at the start of a production process, in particular at the start of a painting process and/or creating a workpiece-carrier-specific data set, uniquely assigned to a workpiece carrier, at the start of a production process, in particular at the start of a painting process; supplementing the workpiece-specific data set while a workpiece isType: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Simon Alt, Jan-Philipp Schuh, Ralf Schurer, Markus Hummel, Jens Berner, Jens Häcker, Thomas Hezel, Frank Herre, Michael Zabel, Dietmar Wieland, Philipp Oetinger, Robin Heim
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Publication number: 20200347868Abstract: The disclosure relates to a closure device for attaching to a robot, preferably quick closure device and/or for overpressure-tight closing of a cavity of the robot up to at least 175, 200 or 225 mbar. The closure device comprises a removable covering element for covering a cavity of the robot and a fastening apparatus for fastening the covering element to the robot, wherein the fastening apparatus comprises a rotatable closure element. The fastening apparatus is characterized in particular in that it has a rotational closing movement between 45° and 215° and thus can be moved by a rotational closing movement between 45° and 215° into a closure position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Thomas Hezel, Jürgen Haas
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Publication number: 20200324416Abstract: The disclosure concerns a coating robot for coating components, having a robot base, a rotatable robot member, a pivotable proximal robot arm with two arm parts which can be rotated relative to one another and are connected to one another by a bearing ring, a pivotable distal robot arm, a robot hand axis, a connecting flange at the free end of the robot hand axis for connecting an application device and with a line arrangement which is guided from the robot base to the connecting flange for the application device. The disclosure provides that the line arrangement is passed through the first bearing ring between the two arm parts of the proximal robot arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2017Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Andreas Collmer, Steffen Hein, Thomas Hezel
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Patent number: 9937619Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for a robot (1) having a plurality of movable robot axes (2, 4, 6), in particular for a painting robot (1) or a manipulating robot, comprising the following steps: (a) predetermining a robot path by means of a plurality of path points through which a reference point of the robot (1) is intended to travel; (b) controlling drive motors of the individual robot axes (2, 4, 6) according to the predetermined robot path, such that the reference point of the robot (1) travels through the predetermined robot path; (c) precalculating the mechanical loading (My1, Mx1, Fx1, Fy1, Fz1, Fx2, Fy2, Fz2, Mx2, My2, Mz2) that occurs within at least one of the robot axes (2, 4, 6) between two joints when travelling through the robot path ahead; and also (d) adjusting the control of the drive motors of the robot axes (2, 4, 6) on the basis of the precalculated mechanical loading (My1, Mx1, Fx1, Fy1, Fz1, Fx2, Fy2, Fz2, Mx2, My2, Mz2), such that a mechanical overload is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbHInventors: Alexander Meissner, Bjorn Schoell, Jens Hacker, Viktor Schretling, Thomas Hezel
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Patent number: 9630199Abstract: Exemplary painting devices for painting components, e.g., motor vehicle bodies or parts thereof may include a multi-axis painting robot positioning an atomizer, a robot controller for controlling the painting robot, and a controls enclosure comprising the robot controller. An exemplary controls enclosure may be a load-bearing column that mechanically supports the painting robot.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Durr Systems GmbHInventors: Frank Herre, Jurgen Haas, Thomas Hezel, Bernd Leiensetter
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Patent number: 9387586Abstract: The invention relates to a robot transmission (1) for a multi-axis robot, in particular for a painting robot or a hand-held robot of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Said transmission comprises a transmission housing (6) which is filled, when in operation, at least partially with a lubricant according to an operationally-dependent lubricant pressure, in order to lubricate the robot transmission (1), and has a construction-defined maximum pressure for the lubrication pressure. The transmission housing (6) is not air-tight if the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) exceeds the maximum pressure. According to the invention, the robot transmission also comprises a pressure compensation device (7) which compensates the pressure in the transmission housing (6) and thus prevents the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) from exceeding the maximum pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbHInventors: Andreas Collmer, Thomas Hezel
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Publication number: 20150057798Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for a robot (1) having a plurality of movable robot axes (2, 4, 6), in particular for a painting robot (1) or a manipulating robot, comprising the following steps: (a) predetermining a robot path by means of a plurality of path points through which a reference point of the robot (1) is intended to travel; (b) controlling drive motors of the individual robot axes (2, 4, 6) according to the predetermined robot path, such that the reference point of the robot (1) travels through the predetermined robot path; (c) precalculating the mechanical loading (My1, Mx1, Fx1, Fy1, Fz1, Fx2, Fy2, Fz2, Mx2, My2, Mz2) that occurs within at least one of the robot axes (2, 4, 6) between two joints when travelling through the robot path ahead; and also (d) adjusting the control of the drive motors of the robot axes (2, 4, 6) on the basis of the precalculated mechanical loading (My1, Mx1, Fx1, Fy1, Fz1, Fx2, Fy2, Fz2, Mx2, My2, Mz2), such that a mechanical overload is avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Alexander Meissner, Bjorn Schoell, Jens Hacker, Viktor Schretling, Thomas Hezel
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Patent number: 8807073Abstract: A robot arrangement, for example for a painting booth, and exemplary methods associated with the same, are disclosed. An exemplary robot arrangement may comprise a displacement rail, a plurality of robots, such as painting robots or handling robots, which can be displaced along the displacement rail, and a plurality of energy supply chains. The energy supply chains may supply one of the robots each, and may be associated with said robot, and each of the energy supply chains may run along the displacement rail in a particular track. The energy supply chains which are associated with the robots on the same displacement rail may run in discrete tracks.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Durr Systems GmbHInventors: Jürgen Haas, Michael Baumann, Stefan Esslinger, Marcus Frey, Frank Herre, Thomas Hezel, Alexander Meissner, Hans Schumacher, Salvador Vergara, Detlev Hannig, Einar Endregaard, Richard Ostin, Andreas Schaal
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Patent number: 8726830Abstract: Exemplary robots and corresponding exemplary operating methods for a painting system are disclosed. In one example, the robot is a handling robot for opening and closing doors or bonnets of motor vehicle bodies. A robot element of a handling robot that is susceptible to dirt retention, e.g., a handling tool, may be arranged away from the spray jet of a paint during the painting operation and is applied to the component that is to be painted. The robot may include a cleaning device for cleaning or for keeping the robot element of the handling robot that is susceptible to dirt retention clean from paint that is applied with spray jet in the painting operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbHInventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Thomas Hezel, Jüergen Haas, Bernd Leiensetter, Alexander Meiβner, Marcus Frey
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Publication number: 20140109830Abstract: Exemplary painting devices for painting components, e.g., motor vehicle bodies or parts thereof may include a multi-axis painting robot positioning an atomizer, a robot controller for controlling the painting robot, and a controls enclosure comprising the robot controller. An exemplary controls enclosure may be a load-bearing column that mechanically supports the painting robot.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: DÜRR SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Frank Herre, Jurgen Haas, Thomas Hezel, Bernd Leiensetter
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Publication number: 20140034422Abstract: The invention relates to a robot transmission (1) for a multi-axis robot, in particular for a painting robot or a hand-held robot of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Said transmission comprises a transmission housing (6) which is filled, when in operation, at least partially with a lubricant according to an operationally-dependent lubricant pressure, in order to lubricate the robot transmission (1), and has a construction-defined maximum pressure for the lubrication pressure. The transmission housing (6) is not air-tight if the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) exceeds the maximum pressure. According to the invention, the robot transmission also comprises a pressure compensation device (7) which compensates the pressure in the transmission housing (6) and thus prevents the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) from exceeding the maximum pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Andreas Collmer, Thomas Hezel
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Patent number: 8627780Abstract: Exemplary painting devices for painting components, e.g., motor vehicle bodies or parts thereof, and associated exemplary methods are disclosed. An exemplary painting device may include a multi-axis painting robot positioning an atomizer, a robot controller for controlling the painting robot, and a controls enclosure comprising the robot controller. An exemplary controls enclosure may be a load-bearing column that mechanically supports the painting robot.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Durr Systems GmbHInventors: Frank Herre, Jürgen Haas, Thomas Hezel, Bernd Leiensetter
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Publication number: 20120191243Abstract: A robot arrangement, for example for a painting booth, and exemplary methods associated with the same, are disclosed. An exemplary robot arrangement may comprise a displacement rail, a plurality of robots, such as painting robots or handling robots, which can be displaced along the displacement rail, and a plurality of energy supply chains. The energy supply chains may supply one of the robots each, and may be associated with said robot, and each of the energy supply chains may run along the displacement rail in a particular track. The energy supply chains which are associated with the robots on the same displacement rail may run in discrete tracks.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Jürgen Haas, Michael Baumann, Stefan Esslinger, Marcus Frey, Frank Herre, Thomas Hezel, Alexander Meissner, Hans Schumacher, Salvador Vergara, Detlev Hannig, Einar Endregaard, Richard Ostin, Andreas Schaal
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Publication number: 20110166708Abstract: Exemplary painting devices for painting components, e.g., motor vehicle bodies or parts thereof, and associated exemplary methods are disclosed. An exemplary painting device may include a multi-axis painting robot positioning an atomizer, a robot controller for controlling the painting robot, and a controls enclosure comprising the robot controller. An exemplary controls enclosure may be a load-bearing column that mechanically supports the painting robot.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2009Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Frank Herre, Jürgen Haas, Thomas Hezel, Bernd Leiensetter
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Patent number: 7908994Abstract: The piston dispenser for the measured supplying of material to the atomizer of a painting robot is arranged in the hand joint of the robot. Various feasible embodiments of the dispensing cylinder of this piston dispenser are described.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Duerr Systems, Inc.Inventors: Frank Herre, Jürgen Haas, Hans Vetters, Michael Baumann, Thomas Hezel, Bekim Maxharraj, Nedime Maxharraj, legal representative, Jan Grigoleit, Marcus Frey, Herbert Martin
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Publication number: 20110045194Abstract: Exemplary robots and corresponding exemplary operating methods for a painting system are disclosed. In one example, the robot is a handling robot for opening and closing doors or bonnets of motor vehicle bodies. A robot element of a handling robot that is susceptible to dirt retention, e.g., a handling tool, may be arranged away from the spray jet of a paint during the painting operation and is applied to the component that is to be painted. The robot may include a cleaning device for cleaning or for keeping the robot element of the handling robot that is susceptible to dirt retention clean from paint that is applied with spray jet in the painting operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Thomas Hezel, Juergen Haas, Bernd Leiensetter, Alexander Meissner, Marcus Frey
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Patent number: 7870807Abstract: A robot wrist for a painting robot has several wrist sections that can be rotated relative to one another, an internal conduit that passes through the wrist sections, a flexible hose carried in the internal conduit and having a hose drive operating on the hose to achieve positive rotation of the hose in the internal conduit corresponding to the rotation of the wrist sections.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Durr Systems Inc.Inventors: Thomas Hezel, Bernd Leiensetter, Frank Herre, Bekim Maxharraj, Nedime Maxaharraj, legal representative
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Patent number: 7677130Abstract: The invention relates to a robot, specifically a painting robot, having at least one moveable member which has a conduit for lines which houses at least one line. It is proposed that the line is disposed in the conduit at least partially in a spiral or winding configuration and/or is carried by an axially compliant bellows to allow axial movement of the line with a change in the position of the robot.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Duerr Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Hezel, Steffen Hein, Georg M. Sommer
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Publication number: 20080236484Abstract: The piston dispenser for the measured supplying of material to the atomizer of a painting robot is arranged in the hand joint of the robot. Various feasible embodiments of the dispensing cylinder of this piston dispenser are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2006Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Frank Herre, Jurgen Haas, Hans Vetters, Michael Baumann, Thomas Hezel, Bekim Maxharraj, Nedime Maxharraj, Jan Grigoleit, Marcus Frey, Herbert Martin