Programmable Or Condition Responsive Means Controls Grab Operation Patents (Class 414/730)
  • Patent number: 12220808
    Abstract: A fenceless system and method for automatically moving one or more items between a structure at a source location and a destination using a robot is provided. The system comprises a robot having an end effector to selectively grasp an item. A trajectory planning controller directs the robot to move the item between a source location and a destination. A touch sensor detects a contact between an external object and a surface of the robot or a surface surrounding the end effector; and a proximity sensor detects a person in proximity to the robot. A vision sensor detects a location and orientation of items to be moved. The robot moves in proximity to a person without a safety fence preventing the person from contacting the robot. The system adjusts a speed of the robot in response to detecting a person in one of a plurality of zones around the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Alexander Zak, Johannes Hartlieb
  • Patent number: 12221326
    Abstract: A crane control system for actuating positioners of a crane is configured to receive target position data which describe a predefined target position of at least one positioner, in particular at least one crane superstructure positioner; receive clearance data which describe a user input for clearing a movement of the at least one positioner into the predefined target position; and output control data which describe control signals to be output to the at least one positioner in order to move the at least one positioner into the predefined target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
    Inventor: Jann Reesing
  • Patent number: 12212148
    Abstract: A wireless connector includes: a first unit attached detachably from the outside of a first object; and a second unit attached detachably from the outside of a second object. The first unit includes a first housing to which a first transmission/reception part and a first connector part are secured, the first connector part being attached to the first object and transmitting a to-be-transmitted target between the first connector part and the first object. The second unit includes a second housing to which a second transmission/reception part and a second connector part are secured, the second connector part being attached to the second object and transmitting a to-be-transmitted target between the second connector part and the second object. The first transmission/reception part and the second transmission/reception part are arranged so as to be separated from each other and opposed to each other to wirelessly transmit the to-be-transmitted target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Hideyuki Noguchi, Masayoshi Yoneda, Hiromasa Tanaka, Yuuri Nakamura, Hidehiko Kuroda
  • Patent number: 12202145
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a misdetection of an object and subsequent response is disclosed. A robotic system may use a motion plan, which is derived based on an initial detection result of a package, to transfer the package from a start location to a task location. During implementation of the motion plan, the robotic system may obtain additional sensor data, which can be used to deviate from the initial motion plan and implement a replacement motion plan to transfer the package to the task location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Mujin, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kanemoto, Rosen Nikolaev Diankov
  • Patent number: 12202713
    Abstract: A system for changing work tools on a loading crane includes a first coupling member on the work tool side or the loading crane side with a receiving opening and a second coupling member on the loading crane side or the work tool side with a guide member extending along a longitudinal axis. The guide member engages in the receiving opening by moving the first and second coupling members toward each other. The first coupling member comprises a support surface for axially abutting the second coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a bearing surface complementary to the support surface and a locking element which is movable by a drive between disengaged and engaged positions. The locking element has a clamping surface for frictionally abutting the first coupling member and the first coupling member has an abutment surface complementary to the clamping surface for zero-play axial clamping of the first and second coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: OilQuick Deutschland KG
    Inventors: Martin Stössl, Michael Kollmann
  • Patent number: 12179224
    Abstract: A coating system including a coating robot and a movable opener robot. The coating robot has a fixed base fixedly mounted to a coating booth, and a first arm rotatably coupled to the fixed base about a first axis substantially parallel to a conveyance direction of a workpiece that includes a body and a first movable member. The body has a body inner surface and the first movable member has a first movable member inner surface. The movable opener robot has a movable base mounted such that the movable opener robot is movable in the coating booth in the conveyance direction. The movable base is mounted below the fixed base. The movable opener robot can open the first movable member of the workpiece. The coating robot can coat the body inner surface and the first movable member inner surface when the first movable member has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Yoshino
  • Patent number: 12175164
    Abstract: A system for performing interactions within a physical environment including a robot base that undergoes movement relative to the environment, a robot arm mounted to the robot base, the robot arm including an end effector mounted thereon and a tracking system that measures a robot base position indicative of a position of the robot base relative to the environment. A control system acquires an indication of an end effector destination, determines a reference robot base position, calculates an end effector path extending to the end effector destination and repeatedly determines a current robot base position using signals from the tracking system, calculates a correction based on the current robot base position, the correction being indicative of a path modification, and controls the robot arm in accordance with the correction to move the end effector towards the end effector destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: FASTBRICK IP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Pivac, James Gary Robertson
  • Patent number: 12172297
    Abstract: A mechanical hand mimics a human hand having similar degrees of freedom and sensory abilities while appearing visually similar to human hand. The mechanical hand comprises a mechanical hand skeleton and resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin that fully encloses the mechanical hand skeleton. The mechanical hand skeleton may advantageously be molded directly into the resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin such that the hand appears, moves, and feels very similar to a real human hand. The mechanical hand may have applications in robotics, for example as an end-of-arm tool or end effector, or may have other applications. Robotic applications may include prosthetics applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Sanctuary Cognitive Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hatef Khadivinassab, Connor Richard Shannon, Kevin Jiaming Wu, Matthew Steven Hill
  • Patent number: 12150713
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling an articulating member including a tool. The system may include a dual camera system that captures near-infrared (NIR) images and point cloud images of a tissue or other substance that includes NIR markers. The system may generate a three-dimensional (3D) path based on identified positions of the NIR markers, may filter the generated path, and may generate a 3D trajectory for controlling the articulated arm of a robot having a tool to create an incision along the filtered path. In a shared control mode, an operator may generate manually control commands for the robot to guide the tool along such a path, while automated control commands are generated in parallel. One or more allocation functions may be calculated based on calculated manual and automated error models, and shared control signals may be generated based on the allocation functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK, THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: Hamed Saeidi, Axel Krieger, Simon Leonard, Justin Opfermann, Michael Kam
  • Patent number: 12151381
    Abstract: A metallurgic casting installation comprises a robot. The robot comprises a handling tool coupled to an arm of the robot by a coupling element. The coupling element comprises a tool interface rigidly coupled to the handling tool, and a robot interface rigidly coupled to the arm of the robot. The compliance of the coupling element can be controlled such that upon application of a load onto the tool interface, the tool interface can be moved relative to the robot interface, by translation along and/or rotation about one or more of a first, second and third orthogonal spatial axes X1, X2, X3. The coupling element is resilient in that upon release of the load, the tool interface returns to a reset position relative to the robot interface corresponding to a reset distance Dr separating the tool interface and the robot interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Vesuvius Group, S.A.
    Inventors: David Carosielli, Mariano Collura, Damien Delsine
  • Patent number: 12134532
    Abstract: A cargo transport vehicle is proposed, including: a. at least one self-supporting cargo support platform, b. at least one mobile carrier configured to carry a cargo receptacle carrier and to move and stop between positions along the cargo support platform, c. an electronic circuit including i. a command interface, and ii. a controller, wherein the command interface is configured to receive mobile carrier positioning instructions and to transmit them to the controller, the controller being configured to control the mobile carrier according to the positioning instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: PICK8SHIP TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Josef A. Haid
  • Patent number: 12129056
    Abstract: A release system for the release of satellites from a launch vehicle is provided that includes: (i) a torsion bar, having a first end which is fixed by means of support means to a launch vehicle and is locked in rotation around a longitudinal axis of the torsion bar, and a second end which is connected by means of hinge means to the launch vehicle and is free to rotate around the longitudinal axis; (ii) at least one launch arm extending perpendicularly from the torsion bar and comprising (a) a torsion lever having a first end which is fixed to the torsion bar in an integral manner, and (b) a guide having a first end connected to a second end of the torsion lever, and a second free end; (iii) at least one slider which is fixed in an integral manner to a satellite to be launched and arranged to engage the guide in a sliding manner; and (iv) and a limit stop element designed to act upon the torsion lever to stop the rotation of the launch arm around the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. Con Unico Socio
    Inventors: Aniceto Panetti, Andrea Marchetti, Alberto Ritorto, Andrea Adriani, Luigi Scialanga
  • Patent number: 12128553
    Abstract: A supernumerary robotic limb (SRL) system can include a plurality of rigid links, a joint that connects one rigid link to another rigid link in the plurality of rigid arms, and two variable stiffness actuators (VSAs) configured to drive the plurality of rigid links in order to complete at least one task. The VSAs can exhibit infinite rotation and infinite stiffness. The VSAs can include an output link. Additionally, the VSAs can include a set of elastic elements mounted on the output link. The VSAs can include an input link configured to provide kinetic energy for the output link. The VSAs can include a dynamic chassis configured to connect with the input link. Additionally, the VSAs can include a stiffness adjustor included in the dynamic chassis and configured to adjust an elastic transmission between at least one elastic element of the set of elastic elements and the output link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Khalifa University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Mohammed Ismail Awad, Mohammed Ahmed Ramadan, Basma Bashir Mohamed Hasanen, Irfan Hussain, Seneviratne Mudigansalage Seneviratne
  • Patent number: 12121229
    Abstract: A soft-bodied apparatus and a method for opening an eyelid are provided. The apparatus includes: a head support module, a real-time eyelid positioning module, a robot end-effector real-time positioning module, and an automatic eyelid opening operation module. The automatic eyelid opening operation module includes a robot body and a robot control system. The robot body is provided with a multi-axis rigid body mechanical arm and a soft-bodied end-effector. The robot control system takes the real-time poses of the upper and lower eyelids of the user as a motion target, and takes the real-time shape and the pose of the soft-bodied end-effector as feedback information to control motion of the robot body to automatically open the eyelid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN INSTITUTES OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Zeyang Xia, Yangzhou Gan, Hao Deng, Jing Xiong
  • Patent number: 12109683
    Abstract: A tactile sensor pertaining to the present disclosure includes a cover that is provided so as to cover at least part of a base portion, a detection unit that is disposed between the cover and the base portion and detects force applied to the cover, and a limiting structure that limits inclination of the cover with respect to the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Misato Nabeto, Sayaka Doi, Hiroki Koga
  • Patent number: 12103793
    Abstract: An unloading apparatus comprises a sensor interface, a gripping unit interface and a processor. A sensor interface acquires a photographed image from a sensor that photographs an image of a cargo group. A processor transmits, in a case of successfully recognizing each piece of cargo of a same-type cargo group, a first control signal to the gripping unit to perform unloading according to a first gripping method corresponding to the same-type cargo group, and transmits, in a case of failing to recognize each piece of cargo of the same-type cargo group, a second control signal to the gripping unit to perform unloading according to a second gripping method corresponding to a mixed-type cargo group including different types of cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Mori, Hiroshi Sukegawa
  • Patent number: 12107519
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include electroadhesion devices for securing smartphones and other consumer devices to target surfaces. In various embodiments, the electroadhesion device may include a digital switch for adjusting the output voltage generated by a voltage converter. The digital switch may enable safe operation of the electroadhesion device by ensuring the output voltage generated by the voltage converter is compatible with the target surface. To determine a compatible output voltage, the electroadhesion device may include one or more sensors that may measure one or more characteristics of the target surface including conductivity, porosity, hardness, smoothness, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Selfie Snapper, Inc.
    Inventor: Denis Koci
  • Patent number: 12103180
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a robot gripper with a closing mechanism that while providing a desirable closing speed avoids exerting a force on the rigid object which is greater than the holding force required to hold the rigid object in the gripper. In another aspect, the present invention provides a robot gripper capable of detecting a slip or loss of an object held by the gripper. In an alternative aspect, the present invention provides a robot gripper capable of being hand guided. In another aspect, the invention provides a robot gripper brake drive circuit with faster operation. In one other aspect, the invention provides a connector for connecting a robot end effector to a robot arm with an adjustable cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Inventors: Renaud Sansfaçon, Pierre-Luc Belzile, Louis-Alexis Allen Demers, Yan Drolet Mihelic, Pascal Lapointe, Jean-Philippe Jobin, Bianca Lachance
  • Patent number: 12084220
    Abstract: A label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system comprising an indicator support holder supporting a first indicator and a second indicator. The indicators each have a display face with a display. Projection areas of the display faces project perpendicularly from the display faces. The indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that a first projection area and a second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: AMTIG ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Groholski
  • Patent number: 12053429
    Abstract: A walker specialized for use on trails by pushing and walking, rather than riding on, with no drivetrain, along with a method of using the walker on trails is provided. The walker can include a frame, two inline wheels, and a handlebar steering mechanism. The walker can further include a braking mechanism, an elbow rest, an electric motor, and racks and/or carriers for gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Inventor: Jack Boyd
  • Patent number: 12053887
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to robotic devices, artificial intelligence, and computer vision. More specifically, some embodiments relate to an imaging process for detecting failure modes in a robotic motion environment. In one embodiment, a method of detecting failure modes in a robotic motion environment comprises collecting one or more images of a multiple scenes throughout a robotic motion cycle. Images may be collected by one or more cameras positioned at one or more locations for collecting images with various views. Images collected throughout the robotic motion cycle may be processed in real-time to determine if any failure modes are present in their respective scenes, report when failure modes are present, and may be used to direct a robotic device accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Embodied Intelligence Inc.
    Inventors: Yide Shentu, David Mascharka, Tianhao Zhang, Yan Duan, Jasmine Deng, Xi Chen
  • Patent number: 12036757
    Abstract: The manipulator device includes a pedestal and a carrying mechanism which carries a platform and which forms an articulated triangle comprising: a first arm borne by a first carriage with a first pivot link whose axis forms a first vertex of the triangle, a second arm borne by a second carriage with a second pivot link whose axis forms a second vertex of the triangle, a seat situated at the intersection of the first arm and of the second arm, which forms a third pivot link whose axis is parallel to the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis and forms a third vertex of the triangle. A module is provided for servocontrolling the translational movements of the first carriage and the second carriage with respect to the pedestal. A yaw orientation interface comprises a fourth pivot link, by which the platform is articulated on the seat, both relative to the first arm and relative to the second arm, about a fourth pivot axis which is coaxial to the third pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Frederic Pialot, Christophe Bessac, Alain Sevaille
  • Patent number: 12017345
    Abstract: The end effector includes a palm, a plurality of fingers capable of grasping operation, a tactile sensor unit provided with each of the plurality of fingers, and a force receiving portion that receives a force from the object being grasped when the object being grasped is grasped by the plurality of fingers, the force receiving portion being connected to each of the plurality of fingers via the tactile sensor unit. The force receiving portion includes a grasping surface that receives a force from the object being grasped, the grasping surface being placed facing the object being grasped to be able to grasp the object being grasped, and a pressing surface that is placed further away from the palm than the second end portion of each of the plurality of fingers and extends in a direction intersecting the grasping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Misato Nabeto, Sayaka Doi, Hiroki Koga
  • Patent number: 12017340
    Abstract: A robotic arm includes an arm with a plurality of degrees of freedom and a gripper configured to manipulate a plurality of tools. The gripper includes a pair of claws. Each claw of the pair includes a first portion of a connector that is configured to connect to a second portion of the connector integrated on each of the plurality of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: The State of Israel, Israel National Police
    Inventor: Lior Oz
  • Patent number: 11992962
    Abstract: A robot includes a wrist unit that has a tool attached to a distal end face thereof and that changes the orientation of the tool, the tool performing work on a work target device secured to an installation surface; and a movable unit that changes the three-dimensional position of the wrist unit. The movable unit includes an arm that has a longitudinal axis and the wrist unit is attached to the distal end thereof, and a visual sensor that has a field of view oriented in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis of the arm is attached to the a positon closer to the base end than the distal end face of the wrist unit is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Suyama
  • Patent number: 11969945
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a system is described. The system includes a reader to 1) read an identifier from a three-dimensional (3D) System printed object that includes a storage element and 2) read a location of the 3D printed object within a build material bed. An extractor of the system extracts, based on the identifier, a post processing operation to execute on the 3D printed object. A controller of the system controls a post processing operation based on extracted post processing operation information and the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kristopher J. Erickson, Jarrid Wittkopf, Rafael Ballagas, David Wayne George, Lihua Zhao, William J. Allen
  • Patent number: 11945110
    Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom continuum robot with a flexible target grasping function comprises a driving device module, a trunk simulation module and a nimble finger module. The trunk simulation module is composed of a rotary compression module and a bending compression module. Each module has a unified connection interface reserved at the end, and is combined and assembled according to actual needs. The driving module is arranged on the base of the robot to realize the driving operation of all cables to control the motion of the robot. The rotary compression module can simultaneously generate the motion in the forms of rotation and compression, thereby compensating for the defect of blind angle of the bending compression module. The bending compression module can realize compression deformation and bending deformation of the module independently. The nimble finger module realizes a grasping function by multi-finger collaboration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Haijun Peng, Jie Zhang, Zhigang Wu, Ziyun Kan, Fei Li, Jinzhao Yang
  • Patent number: 11919712
    Abstract: Picking devices for operating a picking devices for medicaments are provided. A picking device includes multiple storage spaces for medicament packaging, an operating device movable horizontally in an X-direction and vertically in a Z-direction in front of the storage spaces in a movement space, and an identification device configured for identifying medicament packaging. An optical detection device is configured to create an overall image of the movement space and a control device is coupled to the operating device, the identification device and the optical detection device, wherein the control device is configured to determine the presence of an obstacle in a portion of the movement space and to control the operating device based on the determined presence of the obstacle. Methods of operating picking devices for medicaments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Dennis Holzhäuser
  • Patent number: 11901841
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include electroadhesion devices for securing smartphones and other consumer devices to target surfaces. In various embodiments, the electroadhesion device may include a digital switch for adjusting the output voltage generated by a voltage converter. The digital switch may enable safe operation of the electroadhesion device by ensuring the output voltage generated by the voltage converter is compatible with the target surface. To determine a compatible output voltage, the electroadhesion device may include one or more sensors that may measure one or more characteristics of the target surface including conductivity, porosity, hardness, smoothness, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Selfie Snapper, Inc.
    Inventor: Denis Koci
  • Patent number: 11891247
    Abstract: A control device is provided to more quickly and efficiently verify which item has been grasped by a robot system whilst also providing a solution which is scalable. Verification of the item which has been grasped is achieved by measuring a dynamics property of the item. A control unit for operation with a robot system a sensor unit, the robot system arranged to grasp an item from a container. The control unit includes a verification unit arranged to receive identifying information of an item expected to be in the container, receive information from the sensor unit indicative of a dynamics property of the item grasped by the robot system and verify that the item grasped by the robot system matches the item expected to be in the container based on the received identifying information and the received dynamics property information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Graham Deacon, Osemwaro Jeremiah Pedro, Christos Makris
  • Patent number: 11883870
    Abstract: A tool pack assembly having sensor plates to measure the temperature of a tool pack forming die and the forces exerted on the forming dies during can production. Each sensor plate may include at least one temperature sensor and at least one strain sensor for reading and transmitting temperature and strain data relating to the dies of a tool pack assembly. The data read and transmitted may be used to determine the concentricity of the punch of a tool pack assembly during operation making can bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Pride Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Rick Swedberg
  • Patent number: 11858755
    Abstract: In a clamping device, the number of components for an article detection means is reduced. In a stacker, a tire is placed on the carry surface. The first gripping member and the second gripping member grip a side of tire placed on the carry surface and include an abutment surface having a bent portion and are capable of abutting with the side of tire. The first sensor and the second sensor include a light axis in a direction along the article. The controller moves the first gripping member and the second gripping member close to each other to the first position where the tire is not gripped. When the tire is detected with the first sensor and second sensor, the controller moves the first gripping member and the second gripping member close to each other to the second position where the tire is gripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11850756
    Abstract: A method of operating a robot includes detecting the occurrence of an abnormal operating condition of the robot during operation from hardware state data relating to the operation of the robot system. In response, current hardware state data of the robot at the time of the detection is captured, including robot positional information. A counter corresponding to the abnormal operating condition may then be incremented and, if the counter exceeds a threshold value or exceeds a threshold value in a certain time, a report may be generated including the captured hardware state data. The abnormal condition may for example be a fluctuation in vacuum level or a data transmission error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: WaferPath, Inc.
    Inventors: Frantisek Pavlik, James Thomas McCartney, III
  • Patent number: 11845155
    Abstract: A flag for securing a work piece to an assembly jig comprises a base. At least one positioning member extends outwardly from the base for selectively pivoting about at least one axis. An end effector is connected to the at least one positioning member and defines an interaction point for engaging the work piece. A joining connection secures one of the at least one positioning member to another of the at least one positioning member. The joining connection has a first configuration and a second configuration. One of the at least one positioning member is moveable relative to another of the at least one positioning member in the first configuration. The joining connection defines at least one bore for receiving a dowel to secure one of the at least one positioning member to another of the at least one positioning member to lock the interaction point in the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Harcourt Industrial, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Beardmore
  • Patent number: 11815087
    Abstract: Automatic disassembly and assembly system and method for plunger pumps are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of working members, a first robotic arm, a first driver and a second driver. The working members include a rotary puller, a lever, and a gripper; the first robotic arm includes a working end and a connection end, the working end of the first robotic arm is respectively detachably connectable with the plurality of working members; the first driver is connected with the connection end of the first robotic arm and drives the first robotic arm to move in a three-dimensional space; the second driver drives the working member connected with the working end to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: YANTAI JEREH PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruijie Du, Liang Lv, Shanwu Fu, Sheng Chang, Jifeng Zhong
  • Patent number: 11794356
    Abstract: An electric gripping device is provided. The electric gripping device improves a coupling relationship between a two-fingered clamper module using a four-joint link and the actuator module to facilitate assembling and disassembling of the actuator module and the clamper module and minimizes a length of the electric gripper to easily secure a robot's work space or work direction when being connected to the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hocheol Shin, Seung-Ho Jung, You-Rak Choi, Dongseok Ryu, Jonghui Han
  • Patent number: 11787590
    Abstract: A container with an alignment correcting end is provided. The alignment correcting end has angled side walls that extend from parallel flat square or rectangular sides of the container. Each angled side wall extends at an angle between 5 and 70 from one of the parallel walls towards the center of the container. Nubs may be disposed about an exterior of the angled side walls. Also, a passive displacing robotic element for performing misaligned or off-axis placement of the container with the alignment correcting end is provided. The passive displacing robotic element provides displacement of the one or more robotic actuators that are used to engage and place the container into the slot in response to the alignment correcting end of the container contacting the slot edge, wall, or other barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: inVia Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Corwin Carson, Joseph Traverso, Randolph Charles Voorhies, Lior Elazary, Daniel Frank Parks, II
  • Patent number: 11767181
    Abstract: A gripper including: an orientation sensor configured to generate an orientation reading for a target object; a first grasping blade and a second grasping blade configured to secure the target object in conjunction with the first grasping blade and at an opposite end of the target object relative to the first grasping blade; a first position sensor, of the first grasping blade, configured to generate a first position reading of the first grasping blade relative to the target object; a second position sensor, of the second grasping blade, configured to generate a second position reading of the second grasping blade relative to the target object; and a blade actuator configured to secure the target object with the first grasping blade and the second grasping blade based on a valid orientation of the orientation reading and based on the first position reading and the second position reading indicating a stable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Mujin, Inc.
    Inventor: Lei Lei
  • Patent number: 11761837
    Abstract: A multi-axial tactile sensor for detecting forces in directions of three axes and a moment about at least one axis includes at least four sensor elements including at least three shearing force detecting elements having beam structures provided with a first resistive layer and a second resistive layer at specific portions, and at least one pressing force detecting element having a beam structure provided with a third resistive layer and a fourth resistive layer at specific portions, the beam structures of the four sensor elements being arranged on a sensor substrate so that their respective longitudinal directions are radially arranged, and the moment about at least one axis is detected based on outputs of two or more sensor elements being arranged at positions of rotational symmetry around the center of the radial arrangement of the plurality of sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Isao Shimoyama, Akihito Nakai
  • Patent number: 11762389
    Abstract: A transport system that transports a transport object in a state sandwiching the transport object between two transport robots, wherein the transport robot comprises: a main body; wheels; a drive part(s); a contact part; and a rotation mechanism, and wherein using hardware resources, the following processings are executed, the following processings comprising: predicting an orbit of a first transport robot arranged in front of the transport object; and predicting an orbit of a second transport robot so that the second transport robot pushes the transport object from outside of the orbit of the first transport robot in a curve based on the predicted orbit of the first transport robot, the second transport robot arranged behind the transport object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Suzuki, Taichi Kumagai, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11745509
    Abstract: Inkjet printing module (1) capable of being picked up by the arm (111) of a robot (101), characterized in that said module includes: a print head (2); an ink reservoir (3) capable of supplying ink to said print head (2); compressed-gas supply means (4) capable of suppling compressed gas to said print head (2); a mechanical interface (7) capable of engaging removably with a complementary mechanical interface (107) of a robot arm; an electronic interface (6) capable of engaging removably with an electronic interface (106) of said robot arm in order to transfer data between said module and the robot; and at least one fluid interface (5) placed in fluid communication with the compressed-gas supply means or with the ink reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WESTLAKE COMPOUNDS HOLDING
    Inventors: Hossam Elaarag, Christophe Aliaga, Mustapha El Fouzari, Nicolas Amouroux
  • Patent number: 11745355
    Abstract: A control device sets a relative relation amount between a plurality of target objects that are to be final objectives, repeatedly acquires observation data from a sensor and calculates the relative relation amount between the plurality of target objects existing in the environment from the acquired observation data. Further, the control device determines a series of the relative relation amounts in a state that is to be an objective from the relative relation amount at a time point at which control of the behavior starts until the relative relation amount as the final objectives is realized, and repeatedly determines control instructions so as to change the relative relation amount in a present state calculated from the latest observation data into the relative relation amount in a state of an objective to be transitioned to next. Then, the control device outputs the determined control instruction to a robot device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kennosuke Hayashi, Yoshihisa Ijiri
  • Patent number: 11701775
    Abstract: A method of setting a target force upper limit for a robot gripping an object with a gripping unit and operating by force control to bring an acting force close to a target force, includes gripping the object with the gripping unit, performing a pressing operation to press the object gripped by the gripping unit against a contact surface by the force control, performing a pressing force acquisition operation to acquire the force acting on the gripping unit during the pressing operation as a pressing force, repeating a setting change operation to increase the target force, the pressing operation, and the pressing force acquisition operation until a state in which the pressing force is not equal to or larger than the target force appears, and setting a target force upper limit based on the pressing force acquired in the pressing force acquisition operation at a time when the state appears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Takahisa Fukusen
  • Patent number: 11685302
    Abstract: A truck-mountable detection system for detection of a first coupling device of a container, in which the first coupling device is configured for coupling with a second coupling device of a truck-mounted loading equipment, in particular a hook of a hookloader. The detection system includes a data processor and an data capturing device, the data of which can be sent to the data processor. The data capturing device is a stereographic sensor system, and the data processor is configured to automatically recognize the shape of the first coupling device of the container based on the data provided by the stereographic sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GUIMA PALFINGER S.A.S.
    Inventors: Michel Raucoulles, Guillaume Bourdais, Mario Roither, Alexander Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 11674634
    Abstract: This specification relates to the fields of automobile maintenance and device calibration technologies and discloses a position adjustment apparatus and an automobile calibration device. The position adjustment apparatus includes a slide member, a supporting member and an adjustment member. The supporting member is movably mounted at the slide member. One of the slide member and the supporting member includes a rack. The adjustment member includes a gear. The gear is meshed with the rack. When rotating, the gear can drive the rack to move in a preset direction, to enable the supporting member to move in the preset direction with respect to the slide member. By means of the gear engagement between the gear and the rack, the supporting member can move stably and precisely in the preset direction with respect to the slide member, so that the automobile calibration device and an automobile to be calibrated can be aligned conveniently and precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: AUTEL INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaolong Wang
  • Patent number: 11666374
    Abstract: An electrically energized medical instrument uses one or more drive cables to both actuate mechanical components of a wrist mechanism or an effector and to electrically energize the effector. Electrical isolation can be achieved using an insulating main tube through which drive cables extend from a backend mechanism to the effector, an insulating end cover that leaves only the desired portions of the effector exposed, and one or more seals to prevent electrically conductive liquid from entering the main tube. Component count and cost may be further reduced using a pair of pulleys that are shared by four drive cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Burbank
  • Patent number: 11667043
    Abstract: An electromechanical system operates in part through physical interaction with an operator, and includes a multi-axis robot, a controller, and a counterbalance mechanism connected to the robot. The counterbalance mechanism includes a base structure connected to a set of linkages, a pneumatic cylinder, a spring-loaded cam assembly, and an optional constant force spring. The linkages form a four-bar parallelogram assembly connectable to a load. The cylinder and cam assembly, and optional constant force spring, each impart respective vertical forces to the parallelogram assembly. The forces combine to provide gravity compensation and self-centering functions or behaviors to the load, enabling the load to move with a vertical degree of freedom when manually acted upon by the operator, and to return the load to a nominal center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, James W. Wells, Peter Kresmery
  • Patent number: 11653484
    Abstract: An apparatus to automatically place layers of a printed circuit board on a fixture includes a robotic device having a base that is secured to a surface, an upright column that extends upwardly from the base, and a movable arm rotatably coupled to the upright column. The movable arm is configured to rotate about a vertical axis defined by the upright column. The movable arm is further configured to rotate from a position in which the movable arm is disposed over a laminate sheet fixture and to pick up a laminate sheet to a position in which the movable arm is disposed over a board layup fixture to deposit the laminate sheet in the board layup fixture, and from a position in which the movable arm is disposed over a bond film fixture and to pick up a bond film to a position in which the movable arm is disposed over the board layup fixture to deposit the bond film in the board layup fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Mikhail Pevzner, James E. Benedict, Andrew R. Southworth, Wade A. Schwanda
  • Patent number: 11639004
    Abstract: A mechanical hand mimics a human hand having similar degrees of freedom and sensory abilities while appearing visually similar to human hand. The mechanical hand comprises a mechanical hand skeleton and resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin that fully encloses the mechanical hand skeleton. The mechanical hand skeleton may advantageously be molded directly into the resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin such that the hand appears, moves, and feels very similar to a real human hand. The mechanical hand may have applications in robotics, for example as an end-of-arm tool or end effector, or may have other applications. Robotic applications may include prosthetics applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Sanctuary Cognitive Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hatef Khadivinassab, Connor Richard Shannon, Kevin Jiaming Wu, Matthew Steven Hill
  • Patent number: 11638993
    Abstract: A method for operating a robotic system including determining an initial pose of a target object based on imaging data; calculating a confidence measure associated with an accuracy of the initial pose; and determining that the confidence measure fails to satisfy a sufficiency condition; and deriving a motion plan accordingly for scanning an object identifier while transferring the target object from a start location to a task location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: MUJIN, Inc.
    Inventor: Rosen Diankov