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US4655676A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Robot installation

Assignee: ABB Norden Holding AB
•
Filing: 1984-07-10
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2004-07-10
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Abstract

Abstract A robot installation for performing a plurality of assembling or machining operations at a work or assembly station comprises a robot with a rotatable tool support, e.g. a ring or disc, carrying a number of tools. The turning and positioning of the tool support are controlled by control equipment of the robot. The tools are adjustably positioned on the tool support.

Inventors

  • 👤 Bjorn Jannborg
  • 👤 Mats Lundstrom

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 02:11
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/0009; B25J9/0018; B25J15/00; B25J15/0052; B25J9/0093; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/534; Y10T29/53404; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/36; Y10T408/37; Y10T408/38; Y10T408/3811

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 304 words
In a robot installation for producing a product from a plurality of different parts by accomplishing a plurality of operations, said robot installation including means forming a product assembly station; a plurality of supply means for supplying a plurality of different parts to different locations near said product assembly station, and a robot for performing said plurality of operations at said product assembly station, said robot including an articulated arm system having an outer arm terminating at a free end, a wrist means having a first rotational axis therethrough rotatably mounted on the free end of said outer arm, a turret head support means mounted on said wrist means, a turret head mounted on said turret head support means to be rotatable about a second rotational axis, a plurality of tools attached to said turret head, rotation means mounted on said turret head support means for rotating said turret head with respect to said turret head support means and around said second rotational axis, such that each of said plurality of tools can be rotated into an operative position, and control means connected to said articulated arm system to control the operation of said rotation means, the improvement wherein said turrent head comprises a disc having an enlarged annular periphery; wherein each of said plurality of tools includes an attachment means which is mountable on said enlarged annular periphery of said disc and when desired can be manually moved therealong to allow each respective tool to be manually positioned at a desired location around its circumference, each attachment means including locking means which is cooperable with said disc to fixedly position each respective tool around the circumference of said enlarged annular periphery; and wherein said rotation means can rotate said turret head to any arbitrary rotational position relative to said turret head support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 304 words
In a robot installation for producing a product from a plurality of different parts by accomplishing a plurality of operations, said robot installation including means forming a product assembly station; a plurality of supply means for supplying a plurality of different parts to different locations near said product assembly station, and a robot for performing said plurality of operations at said product assembly station, said robot including an articulated arm system having an outer arm terminating at a free end, a wrist means having a first rotational axis therethrough rotatably mounted on the free end of said outer arm, a turret head support means mounted on said wrist means, a turret head mounted on said turret head support means to be rotatable about a second rotational axis, a plurality of tools attached to said turret head, rotation means mounted on said turret head support means for rotating said turret head with respect to said turret head support means and around said second rotational axis, such that each of said plurality of tools can be rotated into an operative position, and control means connected to said articulated arm system to control the operation of said rotation means, the improvement wherein said turrent head comprises a disc having an enlarged annular periphery; wherein each of said plurality of tools includes an attachment means which is mountable on said enlarged annular periphery of said disc and when desired can be manually moved therealong to allow each respective tool to be manually positioned at a desired location around its circumference, each attachment means including locking means which is cooperable with said disc to fixedly position each respective tool around the circumference of said enlarged annular periphery; and wherein said rotation means can rotate said turret head to any arbitrary rotational position relative to said turret head support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The robot installation as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said tools comprise a gripper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 37 words
The robot installation as defined in claim 2, including a plurality of conduits connected to said turret head support means for supplying compressed air to said turret head to operate the gripper of each tool attached thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The robot installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said second rotational axis intersects said first rotational axis at an angle of about 45°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 40 words
The robot installation as defined in claim 1, wherein each tool is symmetrical about a line of symmetry and wherein the line of symmetry of each said tool is parallel with said first rotational axis when in its operative position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
The robot installation as defined in claim 5, wherein the line of symmetry of each said tool coincides with said first rotational axis when in its operative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
The robot installation as defined in claim 5, wherein said turret head support means comprises a tubular sleeve.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US883942A Cited
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US3134276A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-04-06 1990-10-06 1991-04-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-04-06 1994-10-06 1995-04-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-04-06 1998-10-06 1999-04-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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