Abstract: A control system for a robot including a teaching box having a hand alignment command section, and a control unit for controlling the robot. A hand-alignment movement-amount computing section computes an amount of movement of each axis of the robot in a hand alignment operation. A drive section commands operation directly to the robot. A present-position data memory section stores data indicating a present position of a hand, and a present-pose data memory section stores data indicating a present pose of the hand. The present-pose and present-position data are converted from a base coordinate system to a working coordinate system, and the hand-alignment movement-amount computing section computes a destination pose and position therefrom. The destination pose and position are then converted back to the base coordinate system and output to the drive section to move the hand of the robot.

Abstract: A base end portion of a lower arm is mounted on a revolutionarily drivable revolution portion at a specific offset from the revolutionary axis thereof, and an upper arm is mounted in the lower arm, with the lower and upper arms being rotationally drivable within a plane parallel to the revolutionary axis. In a motor casing, three motors for driving three dimensional motions of a wrist are disposed in a vertical direction with their axes being in parallel. Since the upper arm is offset from the revolutionary axis, both right-handed operation and left-handed operation can be easily selected, and the work range of this robot can be increased while its installation space can be reduced. The lower arm has a motor for driving the upper arm at the lower part thereof apart from a gearbox for the upper arm. Power of the motor for driving the upper arm is transmitted to the gearbox through a power transmission member. Such structure enables to reduce thickness of the lower arm.

Abstract: The process comprises the steps of creating three reference points at an object and taking a tomogram of the object such that the three reference points define a first set of positional data in the tomogram. The object is then non-rigidly placed on a support for operation thereupon by an instrument which is mounted at a flexible arm containing sensors for sensing the movements of an instrument tip. The instrument tip is placed at the three reference points in order to create a second set of positional data which are in a fixed relationship to the first set of positional data. When the instrument is inserted into the object placed on the support, the positional data of the instrument tip during the insertion movement are sensed and related to the first set of positional data via the fixed relationship between the first and second sets of positional data.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling a workpiece between automated workstations wherein the workpiece is lifted from an unloading workstation, moved along a predetermined linear reciprocal path between work stations while simultaneously inverting the workpiece, and lowering the workpiece into a loading workstation. The apparatus provides a vertical lift portion and an articulating portion for manipulating the workpiece. The vertical lift portion utilizes a compact design to minimize space requirements and moving parts by providing both vertical movement and rotational movement within a common structure. The articulating portion is attached to the bottom of the vertical lift portion and provides a pivot arm that is pivotally attached to a workpiece holder. The vertical lift portion provides a rotational input to a harmonic drive unit which has its output coupled to the pivot arm. When the pivot arm rotates, a continuous timing belt provides for counter-rotational movement of the workpiece holder.

Abstract: A robot for carrying out operations in, for example, a chamber of a heat exchanger being divided into two compartments by means of a partition can be attached to said partition by means of suction cups. An accurate vertical movement of the shoulder joint necessitates the application of either two hinges or a double hinge between the robot itself and the suction cups.

Abstract: A robot having a pair of magnetic couplings that each couple a motor in a cylindrical first chamber to an associated cylindrical ring closely spaced from the cylindrical wall of said first chamber. The robot includes a mechanism to convert rotation of each of these rings into separate motions of the robot. In the preferred embodiment, these separate motions are radial and rotational.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of robot manipulators comprised of a macro-manipulator combined with a micro-manipulator with a load grasping device. The control is accomplished from set-point values of force (F.sup.d) and set-point values of position (.chi..sup.d), which are compared to real values (F.sup.m, .chi..sup.m) in order to produce increments of displacement (.DELTA.x, .DELTA.y, .DELTA.z, .DELTA..theta.x, .DELTA..theta.y, .DELTA..theta.z) intended for the load grasping device. Added to values (.chi..sup.m) representing the actual position, these increments yield new set-point values of position (.chi.'.sup.d) of the load grasping device. These set-point values are distributed (at 29) between the macro-manipulator and the micro-manipulator, taking into account the deformation (.DELTA.X ) and the mobility that are acceptable for the macro-manipulator. Specific application: robot manipulator of large size and high capacity for outdoor use, especially on construction sites.

Abstract: An arm mechanism to be operated at a proximal location to move a tool at a distal location. The arm mechanism includes an outer series of links and an inner series of links. Each series of links are connected together in an engaging relationship and in an in-line relationship with the outer series of links being pivotally mounted on the inner series of links. The arm mechanism is capable of being moved through almost three hundred and sixty degrees with the tool being movable in precise increments.

Abstract: An alignment station for elements such as semiconductor wafers on a robot arm uses a rotating support and edge detector which in combination are operative to place a wafer on the rotating support, detect wafer alignment, move the wafer to bring it into alignment either on the rotating support itself or onto a separate station.

Abstract: A robot assembly, including a central hub, has two arms arranged for independent rotation about the hub. Two carriers, oriented 180.degree. apart from each other, are coupled to an end of each of the arms. A drive is provided for rotating the arms in opposite directions to extend one or the other of said carriers radially from said central hub, and for rotating the arms in the same direction to effect rotation of the carriers.

Abstract: A mobile, self-powered, self-contained, and remote-controlled robot capable of safely operating in a surrounding combustible atmosphere and providing information about the atmosphere to the operator. The robot includes non-sparking and non-arcing electro-mechanical and electronic components designed to preclude igniting the combustible atmosphere, and positively pressurized enclosures that house the electro-mechanical and electronic components of the robot and prevent intrusion of the combustible atmosphere into the enclosures. The enclosures are interconnected such that a pressurized gas injected into any one of the enclosures is routed to all the other enclosures through the interconnections. It is preferred that one or more sealed internal channels through structures intervening between the enclosures be employed. Pressure transducers for detecting if the pressure within the enclosures falls below a pre-determined level are included.

Abstract: An articulated arm transfer device employs a pair of upper arms each upper arm being rotatable at its shoulder end, and a pair of forearms each forearm being rotatable at its wrist end. The elbow ends of each pair are connected to each other by a link means. The shoulder ends are mounted on a support in such a manner that one upper arm is rotated by a drive means, and holding means for an object to be transferred is mounted on the wrist ends. The link means includes shafts upon which the elbow ends are mounted and at least two S-bands connecting the shafts in such a manner that rotation of one shaft in either direction causes rotation of the other shaft in the opposite direction. The elbow end of one upper arm is fixed to its shaft, while the elbow end of the other upper arm is rotatably mounted on its shaft.

Abstract: A robot apparatus includes a robot arm, a robot hand, an electrical/electronic device mounted on the robot hand for operating the robot hand, and a hand attaching/detaching device, arranged between the robot arm and the robot hand, for detachably mounting the robot hand on the robot arm. A signal transmission path, is connected to an external robot controller at one end thereof and to the electrical/electronic device at the other end thereof, extends through the hand attaching/detaching device, and is able to be disconnected between the robot hand side and the robot arm side in the hand attaching/detaching device.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for moving a transfer stage. Two pairs of links are joined by a first pair of shafts. Each pair of links includes two arms joined together by a corresponding, respective shaft of the first pair of shafts. A second pair of shafts are driven by a driving unit. Each shaft of the second pair of shafts corresponds to a respective pair of links of the two pair of links and is attached to a first end of the corresponding pair of links. A third pair of shafts supports the transfer stage, each shaft of the third pair of shafts corresponding to a respective pair of links of the two pair of links and being attached to a second end of the corresponding pair of links. The second pair of shafts is inclined with respect to a perpendicular direction to the transfer direction of the transfer stage, to form an angle between the shafts of the second pair of shafts.

Abstract: A spherical motor (10) provides smooth isotropic motion. The spherical motor (10) has a spherical stator (12) surrounding a spherical rotor (18) . A motor shaft (24) is mounted to the rotor (18), or alternatively, to the stator (12) for performing work in isotropic motion. A grid pattern is situated to move substantially concentrically with the rotor (18) and in conjunction with the motor shaft (24). A vision system (80) monitors the grid pattern (42) and determines in real time the position of the motor shaft (24). The vision system (80) has at least one image sensor (44) positioned on the stator (12) and a computer system (82) for processing data independent of a remote host computer (122). Further, a motor controller (191) using a motor control algorithm (200) my be interfaced with the vision system (80) to thereby derive a motor control system (190) for controlling the spherical motor (10) based upon the rotor orientation information retrieved by the vision system (80).

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile robotic arm which is adapted to grasp objects at low-level, intermediate level and high reach areas of a domestic dwelling. The device generally comprises a mobile base having a robotic arm rotatably and pivotally connected thereto. The robotic arm comprises lower arm, mid-arm, and forearm components which are pivotally interconnected and selectively extensible and retractable through the utilization of a controller which is preferably disposed upon an arm rest portion of a wheelchair.

Abstract: A quick method of calibrating an industrial robot. A calibrating device (3) which has 6 degrees of freedom and has a displacement detector for each of 6 axes is mounted either to a reference surface (lp) established on the robot (1) itself or to a reference surface having a known positional relation to the robot. The front end of the calibrating device (3) is mechanically coupled to the front end of the wrist of the robot. The position and the posture of the robot are calculated from the data for the position and the posture of the calibrating device derived from the displacement detectors of the calibrating device (3) to calibrate the robot.

Abstract: A multiple arm generalized compliant motion robot control system governs dual multi-joint robot arms handling an object with both of the arms in accordance with input parameters governing plural respective behaviors to be exhibited by the robot in respective behavior spaces simultaneously. A move-squeeze decomposition processor computes actual move and squeeze decomposition forces based upon current robot force sensor outputs. A compliant motion processor transforms plural object position perturbations of the plural behaviors from the respective behavior spaces to a common space, and computes a relative transformation to a behavior-commanded object position in accordance with the object position perturbations of the plural behaviors. A kinematics processor updates a transformation to a current commanded object position based upon the relative transformation to the behavior-commanded object position.

Abstract: An alignment station for elements such as semiconductor wafers on a robot arm uses a rotating support and edge detector which in combination are operative to place a wafer on the rotating support, detect wafer alignment, move the wafer to bring it into alignment either on the rotating support itself or onto a separate station.

Abstract: A robotic arm for moving product from a first handling station to a second handling station is disclosed. The robotic arm includes a support structure and a driven shaft mounted to the support structure. The driven shaft is adapted for rotation about a first axis. A device is provided for selectively oscillating the shaft through successive, selected arcs of rotation. A crank arm is secured to the driven shaft at a first point such that the crank arm is rotated about the first axis. A linkage member is rotatably secured to the support structure for rotation about a second axis. The linkage member is rotatably secured to the support structure at a first linkage pivot point on the linkage member. The crank arm and the linkage member are interconnected by an elongated boom member having a first end, a cranking point and a product handling end. The boom member is pivotally connected at its first end to the linkage member. The boom member is further pivotally connected at its cranking point to the crank arm.

Abstract: A transport arm of a semiconductor substrate transport apparatus carries a semiconductor substrate both into and out of a semiconductor substrate processing chamber in each operation of the transport arm, shortening operation time and prolonging the operating life of the apparatus. First and second arms are rotatably mounted at the leading end of an extensible arm of the semiconductor substrate transport apparatus, each including a substrate holding portion at the leading end for supporting a semiconductor substrate. The first and second arms are turned by an arm driving device while in the semiconductor substrate processing chamber.

Abstract: In a sewing operation robot (1), a simple harmonic motion device (2) is mounted on a wrist portion (12) thereof, and a sewing machine (5) is fixed on a sliding portion (3) of the simple harmonic motion device (2) to position the sewing machine (5) arbitrarily in a three-dimensional space and to operate the sewing machine (5) in an inching mode. A counter weight having the same weight as that of the sewing machine (5) is provided on the simple harmonic motion device (2) to prevent vibrations from occurring. Since the sewing machine is operated in the inching mode without inching the entire sewing operation robot, even a robot of low rigidity can perform sewing operations without causing friction between the sewing machine and the cloth and, further, a compact lightweight sewing operation robot can be provided.

Abstract: An articulated direct drive robotic manipulator providing rotation of first and second arms about first and second parallel axes including first and second motors for driving the rotation of the first and second arms. A pedestal is mounted on a base, the first motor is directly coupled to a rotatable column in the pedestal for providing a first robot arm with a first degree of freedom, a second motor is coupled to a rotatable column coaxial to the first column for providing the manipulator with a second degree of freedom by rotation of the second arm. The distal end of the second arm includes support for an end effector for movement about a third axis which is a vertical axis and a fourth axis which is a rotational axis and support for a quill. Also included is a modular device adapted to be coupled to the end of the quill which can move within horizontal planes passing through the third axis to provide a fifth degree of freedom.

Abstract: A multi-joint arm robot apparatus comprises a multi-joint arm having a plurality of unit arms coupled in tandem with each other through joints, and a movable support for supporting the proximal portion of the multi-joint arm. The multi-joint arm robot apparatus has motors for controlling joint angles of the joints and a motor for moving the movable support. These motors are driven by a control system. The control system controls the motors to obtain proper joint angles, in such a way that the joints of the multi-joint arm are put into a given path when the movable support is moved a given unit distance.

Abstract: An electric welding robot (1) is disclosed. The robot comprises a projecting arm (9) movable horizontally and vertically (X, Z) and a first and a second rotating arms (19, 22) rotatable about vertical axis (E, F). The arms (9, 19, 22) are articulated with one another, and the second rotating arm (22) carries a welding electrode (29). The movement of the arms (9, 19, 22) are controlled by means (5, 8, 20, 23) to position the electrode (29) at desired positions and in desired directions for carrying out welding easily in any direction. The said means include second means (23) for rotating the second arm (22) forcibly about the axis (F) when necessary and automatically and mechanically clockwise about the axis (F) through an equal angle (.alpha.) when the first arm (19) is rotated forcibly by the first means (20) anti-clockwise about the axis (E) through an angle (.alpha.).

Abstract: An actuator assembly (14) suitable for use in a hand controller (10) with six degrees of freedom of movement consists of a pair of arms (20) each secured at one end to a respective rotary actuator (26), and at the other end secured to a common universal joint (21). The arms (20) are coupled directly to the drive shafts (25) of the rotary actuators (26) and their movement is restricted.

Abstract: A load balancing manipulator is disclosed which allows the user great flexibility in moving heavy objects from place to place. The invention is supported on a base having an upstanding post to which is attached a pivoting arm having a second pivoting arm attached at a distal end of the first-mentioned arm. At the end of the second arm, a load manipulator is provided including a pneumatic cylinder-piston arrangement and a sleeve actuator for switches which, when closed, activate solenoid valves which control supply and exhaust of air to and from the cylinder, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, an electromagnet is used to hold a load in place. Battery back-up and load safety mechanism for the electromagnet are also provided.

Abstract: A high-density installation type robot able to be installed side by side with another such robot, to work on an object at the same time is provided. A robot wrist assembly (30) is equipped with three rotary axes (.alpha. axis, .beta. axis, .gamma. axis), and a robot arm (26) having the robot wrist assembly (30) mounted on an end thereof is given a rotary axis (.theta. axis). Further, a bracket-shaped holder (24) holding the robot arm (26) is provided in such a manner that it can move vertically (V) and linearly (FR), whereby a large rectangular parallelepiped, three-dimensional operating area can be secured and a wasted operating area eliminated.

Abstract: A medical three-dimensional locating apparatus includes an arm unit comprising a first arm pivotally supported for tuning about a first axis, a second arm pivotally supported on the first arm for tuning about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and an indicating unit or an echo probe held on the second arm so as to be moved toward and away from the intersection point of the first and second axes. A support unit supports the arm unit, and position detectors are provided for detecting the position of the intersection point of the first and second axes and the position of the tip of the indicating unit or the like relative to the intersection point.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism comprising a pipe 52 extended in relation to a front .alpha.-axis among the three axes of motion (.alpha.-axis, .beta.-axis, .gamma.-axis) of a wrist, on a center axis A--A of turning motion through the center of an .alpha.-axis reduction gear, a universal pipe coupling 61 provided in relation to a .beta.-axis on the center axis B--B of motion, a pipe 51 having one end connected to the pipe 52 and the other end connected to the pipe coupling 61, and a hose 4 extended along a support arm 3 and connected through the pipe coupling 61 to the pipe 51. The wrist mechanism is incorporated into a robot for work in which a fluid is used, such as an application of an adhesive and sealant.

Abstract: A robot system with robot specific effects. Reconstructable for other fields of activities with few manipulations by the users themselfs. This objective is achieved in accordance with the present invention by standard robot-block parts of nearly the similar design for the installation of multiblock-robots with self operating walk, drive and manipulation faculties, with horizontally and vertically fitting, rotation flange plug connections, with turntables and driving motors and with current and communication channels which are leading through the center of the rotation plug connections and which provide current and communication supply lines and current and communication control lines. These lines are leaded to inside and outside slip-ring and induction units and to equipment components, composed of accumulators, sensors and electronic boards inside the block chamber.

Abstract: A wrist unit for an industrial robot includes an arm member with a motor installed therein and having a pair of integral guide portions. Holes are formed in respective guide portions, the holes being coaxial. A wrist member having receiving portions is disposed in a space formed between the guide portions. Two intermediate members are attached by fasteners to the wrist member and project into bearings mounted in the holes. A pair of cover members are fastened on opposite sides of the guide portions in order to retain the bearings.

Abstract: A device with a pivoting work arm for carrying and positioning a tool which is moved by a modified Watts linkage powered by a linear actuator having a true straight line motion. The modified Watts linkage has relatively short links resulting in the center of the middle link following an arcuate path. The center of the middle link is drivingly connected to the linear actuator by a pivoting link or a cam. To provide shock absorption for the work arm as it reaches its fully extended position, the modified Watts linkage is coupled to a follower arm yieldably biased by a spring.

Abstract: A device for supporting and rotating a payload relative to a structure comprises a first coupling ring joined to the payload and a second coupling ring joined to the structure. A pair of annular bearings guide rotation of the first coupling ring relative to the second coupling ring. An annular motor has a stator fixed to one of the coupling rings and a rotor rotating the other coupling ring through a differential epicyclic train disposed inside the annular bearings.

Abstract: A bundle of wiring and piping lines, for supplying a control signal and working a first arm from a control unit to a hand, passes through a first flexible pipe, one end of which is connected onto a fixing jig attached to a base unit and the other end of which is connected onto a second arm, a second flexible pipe, one end of which is connected onto the second arm and the other end of which is connected onto a hollow third arm, and the third arm. One end of the bundle is connected to the control unit and the other end thereof is connected to the hand.

Abstract: An industrial robot has a servo system allowing higher-speed robot operation than in conventional robots. The servo system includes a movable arm or arms pivotable about a pivot axis or axes and/or movable along an axis or axes. The servo system includes at least one movable arm pivotal about a vertical axis and associated with a servo motor for angular displacement within a substantially horizontal plane. A servo motor for driving the horizontally pivotable movable arm is mounted on a base frame of the robot. By mounting the servo motor on the base frame, the load on the movable arm can be reduced significantly so as to allow the movable arm to be operated at higher speeds. The servo system includes a controller adapted to control robot operation.

Abstract: An articulated robot has an arm and two forearms which are articulated to the arm about the same axis and controlled by an independent means.

Abstract: A six-degree-of-freedom articulated robot mechanism includes a three-degree-of-freedom translation unit for adjusting the position. The translation unit includes an orientation maintaining mechanism which has a rotation articulation of the direct drive type connecting a drive motor directly to an arm, and a link mechanism. A three-degree-of-freedom rotation unit for adjusting the orientation includes three rotation articulators of the direct drive type connecting a drive motor directly to a table, and the axes of the three rotation articulators intersect one another at one point.

Abstract: A method of controlling an articulated robot having in excess of six axes and up to twelve axes, comprises the steps of dividing the axes into two groups each composed of six axes or less, those axes which are positioned on one side of a dividing point (P) closely to a reference point serving as redundancy axes (11), those axes which are positioned on the other side of the dividing point closely to a robot wrist (Q) serving as basic axes (12), and controlling the dividing point (P), as a first control point, by way of interpolation and controlling the robot (Q), as a second control point, by way of interpolation with the controlled first control point regarded as a new reference point, so that all the axes of the articulated robot can be controlled by way of interpolation.

Abstract: An articulated arm transfer device employs a rhomboidal link structure defined by two separated pairs of forearms pivotally joined at the elbows and at the wrists. Each wrist supports a holding structure and the elbows are driven in mirror-image semicircular paths by a pair of upper arms which are superimmposed alternately under each pair of forearms as the upper arms are rotated about mutually adjacent shoulder joints. The motion is such that at any time one holding structure is moving rapidly between an extended position and a park position while the other holidng structure is slowly traveling a negligible distance between a park position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning an end-effector comprising a multi-bar linkage drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has a base structure of a movable arm structure. The moveable arm structure has four arms arranged in a general parallelogram profile with a center of gravity at a main shaft located at a connection of two of the arms. Two of the arms have energizeable electromagnetic coils and the base structure has permanent magnets for moving the arms. Analog and/or digital position sensors can be used. Dynamic balancing can be provided to produce reactionless ultra-high speed X-Y motion. A torque cancellation motor for cancellation of Z-axis moments produced by these coils can be provided. A Z-direction actuator can also be provided.

Abstract: A robot wrist with two articulation axes has a first body which is carried at the distal end of the robot arm, a second body which is supported by the first body for rotation about a first axis which intersects the longitudinal axis of the robot arm at right angles, and a third body which is supported by the second body for rotation about a second axis which intersects the first axis at right angles. The second and third bodies are rotated by two electric motors which are mounted on the first body and the second body respectively, with the interposition of "Harmonic Drive" reduction units of the type in which the output rotor is supported for rotation by a load-bearing element which forms part of the reduction unit.

Abstract: An actuator is comprised of a plurality of three-dimensionally arranged containers each of which is constructed into deformable configuration and each of which is set to accommodate therein an amount of expandable fluid in response to the increase of the temperature, a heat supply device for supplying the heat to the fluid in each of the containers, a cooling device for cooling the fluid in each of the containers and a control device for controlling the heat supply device and the cooling device.

Abstract: Two toroidal magnets (221, 22) are coupled to each other by a ferrous spherical spacer (23). The spacer (23) partially engages openings (24, 25) provided in the two magnet surfaces facing each other. The facing magnet surfaces have the same polarity, repelling each other. The configuration creates a stable equilibrium by conduction of the magnetic flux through the spacer and the repulsive forces at the periphery of the magnets. This structure forms a resilient pivot joint which when capped by a spherical handle (30) attached to the upper magnet (21) becomes a multiple-axis pointng device or a tactile sensor (20).

Abstract: An origin of a robot coordinate system is determined exactly as a center of a circular arc described by actuating a first axis only thereof and marking at least three points on a horizontally arranged sheet, at which an origin of an absolute coordinate system is set. In order to obtain the relationship between two coordinate system, making the both origin coincide with each other, then two y axis symmetrical points are measured to determine y axis. Then another two points are measured to obtain structural errors. Using structural errors, compensation of a numerical instructed point is carried out to make the robot position with high accuracy. Further, in order to remove backlash of the driving system, an intermediate point is set on a route toward a certain positioning point so that the driving system always rotates in one direction by some amount when moved to the final, aimed point.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of computer controlled robotics. More specifically, it relates to a novel method and algorithm to symbolically decompose the robot jacobian matrix, in such a way that the robot jacobian Moore-Penrose pseudo-inverse is obtained symbolically even when the robot jacobian is ill conditioned or rank deficient, and to a general purpose computer and method to perform the symbolic steps. The resulting symbolic pseudo-inverse, after symbolic reduction techniques, is not only efficient from the point of view of number of floating point operations, but is also accurate (exact) and stable. It removes the restrictions imposed by the computational complexity of the jacobian pseudo-inverse, especially when the robot jacobian is ill conditioned (robot near/at singularities). This method is sufficiently fast to allow real time control of the robot and is sufficiently stable to allow good robot performance near singularities.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the angular position of a platform during motion of the platform in any direction relative to a base. The apparatus includes a static base, a platform, a first arm assembly, a second arm assembly and a third arm assembly. Each arm assembly has one terminal portion connected to a portion of the static base, by a universal joint, and another terminal portion, connected to the platform, by another universal joint. Each arm assembly is so constructed to permit changes in the distance between its universal joints, but concomitantly removes a degree of angular freedom from the platform. The angular position of the platform is thereby maintained when the distance between the respective universal joints is changed.

Abstract: A robotic joint for use in toys to provide locomotion to animated figures, sub-assemblies, and toy construction building sets. The robotic joint is particularly adaptable because one side of the joint carries the motor that is powering the joint. It also provides for four-way action in a joint in a very compact space by attaching a motorized joint directly to the shaft of another motor. It can also provide up to eight-way action in a joint, since each motor turns the shaft or turns the motor housing based on the amount of resistance applied to the shaft. This can be demonstrated in a joint that is used to support a foot in which the foot has a motor for locomotion, and the limb has a motor for locomotion connected by a four-way joint.

Abstract: A digitally controlled industrial robot comprises a set of unitized and integrated joint drive modules which can be assembled in series to form an arm. The joints are of two basic types, pitch joints and roll joints, with the roll joints providing rotation about the longitudinal axis of the manipulator and the pitch joints providing rotation about axes which are substantially perpendicular to and offset from the roll joint axes. Any number of joints may be assembled to comprise the manipulator, permitting the configuration of a kinematically redundant manipulator. A servocontrol derives feedback from sensing the motive force on a driven member and compensates the drive signal accordingly. More particularly, the torque exerted on each roll and pitch joint is measured and used for feedback to provide stability and optimum bandwidth for the servomechanism.

Abstract: Robots for industrial use having an arm mechanism of a horizontal multiple articulated type.The load movement mechanism and the arm expansion mechanism, which are provided within the robot arms in advance with respect to the change condition through the catching of the gravity force changes by the force sensor from a case where the weight is moved, placed to a case where nothing is grasped, are properly operated, so that the mutual dynamic interferences of the respective driving portions of the robot may not be caused or may be made minimum, and may be made simple in shape by the comparatively simple control apparatus, with an effect that the superior robot which is capable of stable operations may be realized.