Robot arm with at least one joint torque sensor
US11267133B2 · KUKA Deutschland GmbH
- Patent number
- US11267133B2
- Applicant
- KUKA Deutschland GmbH
- Filing date
- 2019-07-31
- CPC class
- B25J 17/00
- Pillar
- Muscle
A robot arm architecture integrating joint torque sensing with transmission/seal arrangements that protect sensor accuracy while surviving industrial contamination and loads.
Claims
Claims recite a robot arm link with a joint torque sensor arranged relative to a transmission and seal so measured joint torque remains usable for control and safety functions.
Technical analysis
LBR iiwa’s brand is “torque sensing in every axis.” This patent is about packaging sensors so they survive seals, grease, and industrial abuse — the boring engineering that makes compliant assembly reliable on a factory floor.
Commercial impact
Reinforces KUKA’s sensitive-arm franchise in electronics/medical assembly where force control beats speed. Hard for low-cost clones to match without equivalent sensing+seal design.
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