Robot — Seiko Epson Patent US20240165796A1

US20240165796A1 · Seiko Epson Corp

Patent number
US20240165796A1
Applicant
Seiko Epson Corp
Filing date
2023-11-16
CPC class
B25J9/1065
Pillar
Muscle

A robot system including a palletizer-style robot with a base, a two-arm linkage mechanism, and drive sources positioned to improve balance and reduce moment of inertia around the vertical axis. The linkage transmits rotational force from the second drive source to the second arm, enabling efficient movement in a workspace while maintaining stability.

Claims

A robot comprising: a base; a first arm coupled to the base rotatable about a first horizontal rotation axis; a second arm with proximal end coupled to the first arm rotatable about a second parallel horizontal axis; first and second drive sources with output shafts; and a linkage mechanism transmitting force from the second drive source to the second arm via multiple links, wherein the first rotation axis is positioned between the distal end of the second arm and at least one drive source centroid when viewed vertically.

Technical analysis

The design uses a parallelogram-like linkage and strategic placement of motors (first and second drive sources) to shift their centroids closer to the primary rotation axis, reducing torque requirements and improving dynamic performance compared to prior art where motors are offset. This enhances payload capacity and speed for industrial palletizing tasks without increasing arm mass.

Commercial impact

Enables more efficient, compact, and energy-efficient industrial robots for logistics and manufacturing, potentially reducing operational costs and increasing throughput in automated warehousing and assembly lines for companies like Seiko Epson's robotics division.

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