Abstract: There is described a wrist for an industrial robot, comprising three wrist elements rotatably supported relative to each other around respective rotation axes which are coplanar and mutually inclined, which leave a space inside thereof free for passage of supply cables which are to be connected to the tool secured to the robot wrist. The latter has a front flange for coupling the tool and a plurality of radial outlets for the above mentioned supply cables, so as to allow for the use of a tool coupling flange having a simplified structure.

Abstract: A compact gear system that includes an input shaft (28), an output shaft (1) and gear wheel means which drivingly connect the same, wherein the output shaft (1) is journalled in a gear housing (2). The output shaft (1) is hollow and has pins (5a) which project radially outwards in a normal plane and each of which carries a gear wheel (6). Provided on each side of the pins is a respective crown wheel (11, 12) journalled on the output shaft (1) and having a toothed ring (17, 18) in engagement with the gear wheel (6). Each crown wheel also has a cylindrical toothed ring (19, 20) which coacts at different transmission ratios with a respective toothed ring (25, 26) on an eccentric shaft (21) which extends parallel with the output shaft (1) and which is rotatably journalled in the housing (2), wherein the eccentric shaft (21) is driven by the input shaft (28).

Abstract: In a vacuum coating apparatus for an allover coating of a substrate by rotation of the substrate (3) in a stream of material, comprising a vacuum chamber with a material source (13), a substrate holder (6) with a point of attachment (19) for the holding of the substrate (3) in front of the material source (13) and a drive (10, 11, 21) provided for the substrate holder (6) for generating a rotating and shifting motion of the substrate (3), the substrate holder (6) is composed of three legs manufactured from hollow sections (7, 8, 9), disposed at angles to each other, where the first leg (7) and the second leg (8) form an obtuse angle (.alpha.) and the second and third legs (8 and 9) form an approximately right-angle knee, and the substrate (3) is held at the end of the third leg (9), where the substrate holder (6) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis (1) of the first leg (7) by a motor drive and in addition is shiftable axially to and from along this longitudinal axis (1).

Abstract: A wrist mechanism of an industrial robot comprises: spline teeth (2A) formed in the outer circumference of the end portion of a bending drive shaft (2) which is provided inside of an arm (1); spline grooves (2B) which are formed in the inner circumference of a first bevel gar (21) and are engaged with the spline teeth (2A); spline teeth (3A) formed in the outer circumference of the end portion of a revolving drive shaft (3); a hollow cylindrical intermediate shaft (30) having one end portion in the inner circumference of which spline grooves (3B), which are engaged with the spline teeth (3A); are formed, and the other end portion to the outer circumference of which a second bevel gear (31) is secured; a bearing (301) through which the one end portion of the intermediate shaft (30) is supported on the first bevel gear (21); and bearings (22 and 24) through which the other end portion of the intermediate shaft (30) is supported on a stationary gear box (45).

Abstract: A wrist unit for an industrial robot comprises a wrist housing detachably mounted to a distal end of a robot arm, the wrist housing containing rotatably mounted first and second, parallel, secondary drive shafts on the input ends of which are mounted cylindrical driven gears for engagement with the respective cylindrical drive gears located on primary drive shafts on the robot arm. The driven gears and the drive gears are so disposed that an imaginary line extending through the centers of the gears are offset from the center axis of the coaxial drive gears, the wrist housing being radially adjustable on the end of the robot arm for adjusting the gear clearance between the drive gears and the driven gears.

Abstract: An industrial robot wrist unit comprising a wrist housing capable of being detachably mounted to the distal end of a robot arm, the housing having two fork arms supporting a pivotally mounted tilt housing which supports a rotatably mounted turntable on which an external implement can be mounted. The tilt housing is positively confined between the fork arms so that reactive forces stemming from the gearings in the housing are prevented from forcing the fork arms apart.

Abstract: A hollow industrial robot, especially suitable for process work such as spot and arc welding, sealing, painting, glueing, laser machining, etc., has a tubular lower robot arm, the lower end of which is pivotably journalled in a robot stand about a preferably horizontal first axis and is rotatably journalled about a second axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the arm. A tubular upper robot arm is articulately connected to the upper end of the lower robot arm via an articulated joint member in the form of a tubular sleeve obliquely cut off at both ends. The articulated joint member is journalled in the lower robot arm and is rotatable about a third axis, which intersects the second axis. The upper robot arm is journalled on the articulated joint member and is rotatable about a fourth axis, which intersects the third axis. The upper end of the lower robot arm is secured to a first conical toothed wheel, which engages with a second conical toothed wheel secured to the rear end of the upper robot arm.

Abstract: A robotic mechanism includes a horizontal base, a vertical support mounted on the base, and a horizontal arm mounted on the vertical support. The vertical support is movable horizontally relative to the base. The arm includes a body which is movable horizontally relative to the vertical support and carries a member which is movable horizontally relative to the body. When the body moves horizontally relative to the vertical support, the member moves horizontally relative to the body to increase the effective rate of movement of the arm.

Abstract: A compact gear with a gear housing (1) and an outgoing main shaft (4) which is rotatable in relation to the gear housing (1). The gear housing (1) supports a motor (2) with a drive shaft (3) projecting into the gear housing (1). On the drive shaft (3) there are arranged a first larger (6) and a second smaller conical toothed wheel (7). Transversely through the main shaft (4) extends a cross shaft (9) which is rotatably journalled in the main shaft (4). On opposite sides of this cross shaft (9) two equally large first (13) and second (14) crown wheels are rotatably arranged on the main shaft (4). The crown wheels (13, 14) engage, on opposite sides, with a third conical toothed wheel (12) arranged on the cross shaft (9). A third crown wheel (18) with a larger diameter than the second crown wheel (14) is rotatably arranged around the main shaft and secured to the second crown wheel (14).

Abstract: A wrist mechanism for an industrial robot has a second axis perpendicular to a first axis extending in a length direction of an arm and a third axis perpendicular to the second axis, the wrist mechanism comprising:, first reduction mechanism and second reduction mechanism supported at both sides of the front end portion of an arm having a cut portion so that they can be rotated about the second axis; a wrist frame including a hollow portion fixed the output shaft of the first reduction mechanism; a first bevel gear including a hollow portion provided on the wrist frame and supported so that it can be rotated about the third axis which is perpendicular to the second axis; a second bevel hear rotating about an axis parallel to the second axis and meshing with the first bevel gear (5); toothed wheel (71) integral with the second bevel gear; a toothed wheel fixed at the output shaft of the second reduction mechanism and meshing with the toothed wheel; and a tool fixing portion including a hollow portion, fixed to

Abstract: A mechanism for movement of an object along a prefixed path, substantially of elliptical shape, including a support base provided with a single motor and at least two arms linked to each other at one end, with the free end of the outer arm carrying a supporting means for articles to be moved, thus forming a handling device. The arms, are rotated about parallel axes by a drive system located inside of the arms. The drive system has a transmission ratio associated with the connection between each arm. The paths along which the arms successive to the first one move are defined by the transmission ratios. The transmission ratio in the outermost arm determines the translation and possible contemporaneous rotation of the supporting means.

Abstract: A three-axis robot is described comprising a first horizontally disposed support having a first carriage selectively movably mounted thereon. A second support is operatively secured to the first carriage and extends transversely from the longitudinal axis of the first support. A second carriage is longitudinally movably mounted on the second support and has a third support selectively vertically movably mounted thereon. Through the use of belts and brakes, the second support may be selectively moved relative to the first support and the third support may be selectively vertically moved relative to the second support. Thus, one axis of drive actuation can provide multiple axes of motion.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism for attachment to the tip end of a robot arm has a first speed reducer for rotation about an ".alpha." axis that is coaxial with a ".gamma." axis of the robot arm. To the side of the robot arm is a second speed reducer for rotation about a ".beta." axis that is at a right angle with the ".gamma." axis of the robot arm. Bevel gears are respectively attached onto tip end of inner and outer rotation shafts of the robot arm. The bevel gear on the outer rotation shaft engages with an input bevel gear for ".beta." rotation on the ".beta." axis, thus transmitting wrist bending torque supplied from the robot arm. The bevel gear on the inner rotation shaft engages with a bevel gear on the ".beta." axis. The engaged bevel gear engages with a further bevel gear on one end of a shaft which is arranged at an acute angle with the ".beta." axis to rotate the shaft. On the other end of the rotated shaft a still further bevel gear engages with an input bevel gear on the first speed reducer for ".alpha.

Abstract: A three-axis Cartesian robot is described comprising a first horizontally disposed support having a first carriage selectively movably mounted thereon. A second support is operatively secured to the first carriage and extends transversely from the longitudinal axis of the first support. A second carriage is longitudinally movably mounted on the second support and has a third support selectively vertically movably mounted thereon. A dual cable driver traversing pulley is rotated by a reversible drive motor. First and second cable members are wrapped around the traversing pulley in opposite directions. The cable members are operatively connected to the upper and lower ends of the third support by a pulley arrangement. Traverse, horizontal and vertical brakes are provided to control the movement of the carriages and the third support.

Abstract: An industrial robot is provided with robot hands (44, 46) capable of being moved by turning actions between a workpiece handling position to which a workpiece is transported and at which the workpiece is fed to the chucking device (10) of a machine tool and a standby position away from the workpiece handling position. The robot also incorporates a robot hand (42) capable of being turned in a plane at the workpiece handling position to align a workpiece with the chucking device (10) of the machine tool, and a pneumatic cylinder actuator (48) capable of linearly moving the robot hand (42) toward the chucking device (10) and away from the chucking device (10) so as to remove a workpiece from the chucking device (10). The industrial robot can be readily fixed to the bed of the machine tool by bolts, for example.

Abstract: A robot wrist mechanism such as those used for painting, sealing and welding operations is disclosed. The robot wrist mechanism comprises an arm rotated by a drive source; a first wrist member rotatably supported on the end of the arm so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second wrist member supported at another end of the first wrist member so as to be freely rotatable about a second rotation axis. The second axis and the arm axis are arranged to lie in the same plane. A mounting shaft is provided on the second wrist member with an axis of the mounting shaft lying in a plane including the first axis and orthogonal to the second axis. The second wrist member is arranged to protrude upwards with respect to a plane including the first axis and the axis of the mounting shaft. With the robot wrist mechanism of the present invention, the drive mechanism transmitting the drive force of the drive shaft to the mounting shaft protrudes upwards of a line through the mounting shaft and arm.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism mounted on an arm of a robot has a wrist flange to which a spray gun is mounted. Coaxially with the arm are provided concentric and relatively rotatable cylinders. From the outermost cylinder extends forward a housing in which gears and shafts are enclosed and operate as follows. Rotations of second and third inner cylinders are transmitted via spur gear trains to respective power transmission shafts extending in parallel to the axis of the cylinders. Bevel gears fixed to respective far ends of the transmission shafts mesh with other bevel gears which have a second axis transverse to the axis of the cylinders. A cylindrical member fixed to one of the other bevel gears is therefore swingable about the second axis. Rotation of the other bevel gear is transmitted to a further gear to rotate the spray gun. A cover besides the housing has an opening through which a flexible paint-supply hose is led into the mechanism to be connected to the spray gun.

Abstract: A motion device with three legs provides six degrees of freedom using a pair of motor assemblies (22) to drive each leg. Each leg has a differential drive (28, 30, 32, 40) for providing a pitch-roll joint connected to an elbow (16) for providing a pitch joint connected to a second roll joint (56) connected to a universal joint (62, 72). An actuated plate (10) is connected to the universal joint. All of the motors drive the differential drive from the base of the unit and do not add inertia to the actuated plate. The same kinematic arrangement can be used for hand controllers as well as for end effectors and other movable platforms.

Abstract: An industrial robot includes a a hollow arm extending from a robot base, a wrist base mounted on a distal end of the hollow arm for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the hollow arm, a wrist mounted on a distal end of the wrist base for swinging movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a wrist socket mounted on a distal end of the wrist for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The industrial robot also includes first, second, and third actuators such as motors. The first actuator is fixedly mounted on a rear end of the arm remotely from the wrist base and produces rotational drive forces that are transmitted to rotate the wrist base. The second actuator is fixedly mounted on the rear end of the arm and produces rotational drive forces that are transmitted to swing the wrist. The third actuator is fixedly mounted on the wrist and produces rotational drive forces that are transmitted to rotate the wrist socket.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process and a device for adjusting an axis, especially an axis of rotation, wherein an adjusting sensor (4) is provided on the axis (2). A position-measuring system (1) with internal cyclic absolute signaling is provided, by means of which the mechanical zero point marking on the axis is reached, and the cyclic absolute actual position value found there is read and entered into the axis control unit (16). Starting from this, the displacement to the desired adjusted position of the adjusting sensor is calculated in the axis control unit (16), and this position is reached with the axis (2) automatically or manually. At this adjustment position, which is located in the middle of a selectable transducer cycle of the position-measuring system, the adjustment of the adjusting sensor (4) is performed.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to expand the operating region of a driven robot component of a robot by a provision of a driving linkage system for transmitting a drive torque of a drive source unit to the driven robot component, the driving linkage system having two spatially separated linkages, which are different from each other in the phase of motion thereof, to thereby transmit the drive torque from the drive source unit to the driven robot component by at least one of the two linkages even if the other linkage is brought to a dead center state, whereby the torque can be continuously transmitted to the driven robot component.

Abstract: An improved break-away, end-of-arm robotic tooling assembly that has been designed to prevent damage to the robot arm in the event it would come in contact with something it should not. The robotic tooling assembly has a two inch inside diameter bore for air and paint lines. The robotic tooling assembly is compliant in all directions with the exception of a pulling force and it can be reset on repeating registration structure within the robotic tooling assemble. An air switch is incorporated which instantly signals the robot controller to perform an emergency stop.

Abstract: A bevel gear unit comprising a bevel gear (11), a ball bearing (B.sub.1) coaxially mounted on the shaft of the bevel gear (11) and in contact with the back surface (17) thereof, a double spacer including an inner race spacer (12) and an outer race spacer (13) and mounted on the shaft of the bevel gear (11) behind the ball bearing (B.sub.1), ball bearings (B.sub.2, B.sub.3) mounted on the shaft of the bevel gear (11) behind the double spacer, and a bearing nut (15) screwed onto a threaded portion of the shaft of the bevel gear (11) behind the ball bearings (B.sub.2, B.sub.3). The axial length (l.sub.1) of the inner race spacer (12) is made smaller than the axial length (l.sub.2) of the outer race spacer (13) by a preloading allowance (.delta.), and the outer race spacer (13) is provided with threaded holes (t.sub.1) in the rear surface (f.sub.1) thereof.

Abstract: A lifting device incorporating first and second arm assemblies with associated rotatable shafts and a platform rotationally connected to the second arm assembly so as to maintain a fixed relationship to a reference surface as the first and second arm assemblies are angularly moved from one position to another. The shaft associated with the first arm assembly is rotated about its axis as the first arm assembly is angularly moved so as to impart similar angular movement to the platform through a rotatable shaft of the second arm assembly; thereby maintaining the platform's fixed relationship to a reference surface. A second embodiment of the lifting device provides an additional device to adjust the angular orientation of the platform with respect to the reference surface, which allows the platform to be maintained in a level orientation when traversing an inclined reference surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a synchronous mechanical motor controller for use in robot applications requiring precise and repeatable movements. The synchronous motor controller is an arrangement of separate electric motors driving individual wheels and operating in harmony with each wheel through multiple bevel gear sets having independent servos. A shaft revolution counter allows the robot to learn and repeat its movements. An onboard radio receiver and transmitter allows an operator to remotely teach the robot its movements. The arrangement of electric motors, bevel gear sets, and servos allowing the robot to run straight, turn, or pivot as required and to accurately reverse its steps so as to return to the same point from which it started.

Abstract: An industrial robot has respective actuators mounted within the main body for moving the upper arm, the forearm, and the wrist via respective gear trains, thereby providing light-weight joint sections and eliminating the need for external cables swinging along with the arms. The upper arm, forearm, elbow, and wrist units are made in modular form for easy replacement and substitution of different length arm units.

Abstract: A backlash removing mechanism for an industrial robot wherein operation for adjustment thereof can be made readily with a simplified construction without causing a play. The mechanism comprises a rotational driving means disposed in a casing, a reduction gear for reducing the speed of rotation of the rotational driving means, and a rotary shaft directly coupled at an end thereof to the output side of the reduction gear. The reduction gear is disposed for movement in a direction of an axis of the rotary shaft. A bevel gear mechanism is provided at the other end of the rotary shaft and transmits rotation of the reduced speed from the reduction gear to an output power shaft of the robot. The rotary shaft is supported for rotation by means of a bearing which is disposed for integral movement with the rotary shaft in the axial direction. The bearing is adjustably and securely positioned in the direction of the axis of the rotary shaft in the casing by a positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism of an industrial robot is provided with a forearm, a wrist base mounted on the forearm so as to be rotatable about a lengthwise rotary axis of the forearm, a wrist body mounted on the wrist base so as to be swingable about a swing axis perpendicularly crossing the rotary axis of the wrist base, and a wrist top mounted on the wrist body so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the swing axis of the wrist body. The wrist base is characterized in that a motor for rotating the wrist tip and a motor for swinging the wrist body are arranged opposite to each other in a lengthwise direction.

Abstract: In a two-arm type manipulator, it is very rare that two arms develop trouble simultaneously due to malfunction of motors and/or cables. In view of the above fact, motors for actuating manipulator joint mechanisms and cables connected between the motors and the manipulator frame are removably mounted on the shoulder section of the frame of the manipulator. Further, the first arm is so arranged as to be accessible to the second shoulder section or the second arm is so arranged as to be accessible to the first shoulder section. Therefore, it is possible to allow an access of one manipulator arm to the other disabled manipulator elements (motors and/or cables) for removal and replacement of the disabled elements with new elements without aid of another manipulator, in particular, where the manipulator is equipped in atomic facilities which refuse access, thus saving equipment investment.

Abstract: A chuck head for automatic machine tools comprises a fork mounted on the end of a movable arm and an electrically driven chuck mounted between the arms of the fork. A mechanism effect angular displacements of the chuck is located within the head supporting arm and is connected to the electrically driven chuck by a transmission comprising at least two pairs of bevel gears.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism suitable for robotic manipulators comprising a first actuator for rotating a first yoke about a first axis, a first crossed shaft carried by the yoke, a second actuator for pivoting the first crossed shaft about a second axis, a second crossed shaft carrying a second yoke, an actuator means for causing rotation of the wrist mechanism about a third axis, highly rigid side plates supporting the first and second crossed shafts in bearings, highly rigid cross members rigidly interconnecting the side plates, and gears for transferring motion between the first and second crossed shafts to allow pivotal movement of an end effector carried by the second yoke in excess of 180.degree. about the second axis, and at least 180.degree. about the third axis, and rotation in excess of 200.degree. about the first axis.

Abstract: An industrial robot comprising a column housing a first group of coaxial hollow shafts rotatably coupled to a first articulated joint positioned at about 60.degree. to the first group of hollow shafts. A second group of coaxial hollow shafts receives the rotating movement from the first articulated joint and transmits it to a second articulated joint, also arranged in slanted relationship at 60.degree.. A third group of coaxial hollow shafts receives the rotating movement from the second articulated joint and transmits it to a third articulated joint which in turn is connected to an end bush supporting implements or operative tools.The invention is of particular advantage thanks to its high mobility and to the particular orientation in the space allowed to the several articulated joints.

Abstract: A universal head for fitting to a machine tool slide comprises a spindle head supporting a spindle and a head carrier interposed between the spindle head and the slide in order to transmit torque from the machine tool drive shaft to the spindle. The carrier is rotatable with respect to the slide and the spindle head is rotatable with respect to the carrier along mutually oblique axes. Ordinarily, relative rotation between the spindle head, carrier and machine tool are prevented by hydraulically-actuated brakes and only the spindle is driven by the drive shaft; however, when it is desired to reorient the spindle axis, rotation of the spindle is prevented while the brakes are selectively released so that drive shaft rotation results in movement of the spindle head.

Abstract: A joint device according to the present invention is attached to each of a plurality of arm units which constitute an arm of an industrial robot, and is used to connect a first arm unit and a second arm unit adjacent thereto, and to rock the arm units. The joint device comprises a coupling mechanism which connects the first and second arm units for rotation around specified axes. A first gear train, which includes a plurality of gears, is provided in the first arm unit, and has a rotatory-force transmission path through which the gears thereof successively transmit a rotatory force. A first rotatory-force source is used to transmit the rotatory force to the first gear train. The second arm unit is constructed in the same manner as the first arm unit. A clutch mechanism serves to permit and interrupt the transmission of the rotatory force through the rotatory-force transmission path of the first gear train.

Abstract: A multimorphic kinematic manipulator arm is provided with seven degrees of freedom and modular kinematic redundancy through identical pitch/yaw, shoulder, elbow and wrist joints and a wrist roll device at the wrist joint, which further provides to the manipulator arm an obstacle avoidance capability. The modular pitch/yaw joints are traction drive devices which provide backlash free operation with smooth torque transmission and enhanced rigidity. A dual input drive arrangement is provided for each joint resulting in a reduction of the load required to be assumed by each drive and providing selective pitch and yaw motions by control of the relative rotational directions of the input drive.

Abstract: A three-axis wrist mechanism has first, second and third independent rotational axes with two points of mutual intersection which are offset from each other, the first axis being inclined at a fixed angle relative to at least one input drive axis of an input drive mechanism. The drive axis extends along the robot arm to which a first housing of the wrist mechanism is fixedly attached. A second housing is supported on the first housing for rotation about the first axis and a third housing is supported on the second housing for rotation about the second axis. A tool-support member having a tool-mounting surface is supported on the third housing for rotation about the third axis. Gear trains of the mechanism provide the independent rotation of the second and third housing structures and the tool support member to permit selective positioning of the tool-mounting surface in a work envelope.

Abstract: The bending and turning movements of the wrist are brought about by drive motors via at least one gear train, in which a cylindrical gear pinion drives a cylindrical gear wheel via an intermediate wheel. For adjusting the backlash, the intermediate wheel is journalled on a movable support which makes contact with a cylindrical guide surface in the wrist housing and can be displaced, by means of two adjusting screws, along a circular path, the center of which coincides with the axis of rotation of the gear pinion. The intermediate wheel is journalled on an eccentric bearing pin on the movable support.

Abstract: The wrist is built up of two wrist halves, between which the tilt with the turning disc is journalled. Each wrist half comprises an intermediate gearing with conical gear wheels and is built together with a drive motor. The two wrist halves are identical, and each half constitutes an individual trimmable drive unit for turning the tilt and the turning disc, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the wrist device of a robot which has a speed reducers built in a wrist portion and which attains three degrees of rotating freedom orthogonal to one another, and is characterized in that three transmission shafts penetrating through the interior of an arm are arranged in parallel with one another as power transmission means within the arm.

Abstract: An advanced servo manipulator has modular parts. Modular motor members drive individual input gears to control shoulder roll, shoulder pitch, elbow pitch, wrist yaw, wrist pitch, wrist roll, and tong spacing. The modules include a support member, a shoulder module for controlling shoulder roll, and a sleeve module attached to the shoulder module in fixed relation thereto. The shoulder roll sleeve module has an inner cylindrical member rotatable relative to the outer cylindrical member, and upon which a gear pod assembly is mounted. A plurality of shafts are driven by the gears, which are in turn driven by individual motor modules to transmit rotary power to control elbow pitch as well as to provide four different rotary shafts across the bendable elbow joint to supply rotary motive power to a wrist member and tong member.

Abstract: A gearbox arrangement for an industrial robot comprises a flange element, a pivoting element and a rotating element adapted to move independently of each other, and having two trains of gears, comprising drive-shafts for connection to respective drive means, for separately driving the said flange element and pivoting element. Reduction gears are inserted between the two gear-trains and the flange and pivoting elements. The trains of gears in the rotating element are branched through the intermediate shafts and lateral shafts arranged with their axes in parallel with the axes of the drive-shafts. Such a structure permits the use of small diameter shafts and gears for a compact arrangement. In addition, it permits the use of spur gears at appropriate locations which are inexpensive and relatively easy to install, maintain and service to keep the low tolerances needed for industrial robots.

Abstract: A head assembly for a manipulator has a rear segment rotatable about an inner axis fixed relative to the manipulator and extending through the rear segment, an intermediate segment supported on the rear segment for rotation about an intermediate axis defined by the rear segment and intersecting the inner axis at an acute intermediate angle open away from the rear segment, and a front segment having a holder adapted to carry a tool and suppported on the intermediate segment for rotation about an outer axis fixed relative to the intermediate segment, extending through the front segment, and intersecting the intermediate axis at an acute outer angle open away from the intermediate segment. A drive rotates the intermediate and outer segments on the inner and intermediate segments about the respective intermediate and outer axes.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator provides three degrees of freedom of movement of an end effector or gripper using only motors which are mounted on a frame. Included is a first actuator assembly providing rotation of a first input link about first and second axes. A compound motor provides this rotation about two axes through a differential gear mechanism. A second actuator provides rotation of a second input link about a third axis. The two input links are each connected to an output link, which in turn are connected, with an end effector being disposed on the end of one of the output links.

Abstract: A swivel head is disclosed having a one-piece, fork-shaped support housing in which a swivel housing adapted to the shape of the support housing is inserted and pivotally mounted by means of a cover and a bearing bracket.

Abstract: An articulated head for an industrial robot has three axes of rotation and three frames, the movements of rotation of which are controlled by only two driving elements carried by the fixed portion of the wrist which is connected to the robot arm.

Abstract: The two-axes wrist assembly of the chain-drive system for an industrial robot has a base wrist unit (12) disposed on one side of the robot arm (11). A hollow shaft (13) is fixed at one end thereof to the base wrist unit and is supported at the same end on one side wall of the free end of the robot arm so as to be rotatable about a first axis (.beta.) intersecting the longitudinal axis of the robot arm at right angles. The other end of the hollow shaft is positioned opposite to the inner surface of the other side wall of the free end of the robot arm. A fore wrist unit (16) is supported on the base wrist so as to be rotatable about a second axis (.alpha.) intersecting the first axis at right angles. A through shaft (17) is provided rotatably within and coaxially with the hollow shaft. The fore wrist unit is interlocked with the hollow shaft by a pair of bevel gears (18, 19). A first sprocket (22) is provided on the other end of the hollow shaft coaxially with the same within the free end of the robot arm.

Abstract: A multi-function industrial robot employs an servo motor to select one tool for use from among a plurality of tools mounted on a turret, the base of which is fixed to an end of a vertical spindle and supports a turret shaft that lies at an angle of 45.degree. with respect to the spindle. The turret head on which the tools are mounted is fixed to one end of the turret shaft and it and the tools are configured so that one active tool will be coaxial with the spindle, and a bevel gear mounted at the end of the turret shaft opposite the turret head engages a bevel gear mounted on the robot frame. The spindle can be raised and lowered such that at its uppermost position the two bevel gears engage, and a mechanism that normally prevents rotation of the turret shaft is released so that as the spindle turns the turret-mounted bevel gear revolves about the stationary bevel gear and drives the turret shaft and the turret head for rotation.

Abstract: The invention is a further development of the gear-head unit for a manipulator described in German Open Patent Application No. 34 28 748. In order to increase the radius of action and range of applicability of the gear-head unit a structural arrangement with three concentric drive axes and four allowed rotational motions of front, intermediate and rear segments of the manipulator is set forth. These front, intermediate and rear segments are pivotally mounted together about first and second inclined pivot axes which are inclined to each other and to the main drive shaft axis. Along these inclined pivot axes two hollow drive shafts connected with each other extend which are supported by reduction gears in the front and/or intermediate segments. Because of that simultaneous opposing rotational motions of the intermediate and rear segments can be obtained from a single drive motor.

Abstract: A joint mechanism for a manipulator movable in the manner similar to human shoulder and elbow joints is disclosed. The joint mechanism comprises three actuators mounted on a shoulder frame, a first gear assembly for moving the shoulder frame back and forth when the first actuator is driven, a second gear assembly for moving the upper and lower arms clockwise or counterclockwise when the second actuator is driven, and a third gear assembly for moving only the lower arm back and forth or up and down when the third actuator is driven. Further, a balance weight and its gear assembly are attached and driven by the third actuator to keep weight balance of the moved lower arm. A fourth actuator and its gear assembly are disclosed for further moving the shoulder frame right and left.

Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assists the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.