Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for controlling a manipulator, which has an end portion, in response to an external force, comprising: control means for generating an operating force/torque corresponding to the external force; first detecting means for detecting the operating force/torque generated by the control means; second detecting means for detecting a deflecting amount corresponding to the movement of the control means from a reference position; third detecting means for detecting an end force applied on the end portion of the manipulator; producing means connected to the second and third detecting means for generating reaction signals corresponding to a function of both the deflecting amount and the end force; and driving means for generating driving signals corresponding to the difference value between values of output signals from the first detecting means and the producing means, and applying force/torque corresponding to the driving signals on the control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for controlling a manipulator, which has an end portion, in response to an external force, comprising: control means for generating an operating force/torque corresponding to the external force; first detecting means for detecting the operating force/torque generated by the control means; second detecting means for detecting a deflecting amount corresponding to the movement of the control means from a reference position; third detecting means for detecting an end force applied on the end portion of the manipulator; producing means connected to the second and third detecting means for generating reaction signals corresponding to a function of both the deflecting amount and the end force; and driving means for generating driving signals corresponding to the difference value between values of output signals from the first detecting means and the producing means, and applying force/torque corresponding to the driving signals on the control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means includes three translation axes substantially orthogonal to one another and three rotation axes substantially orthogonal to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the producing means includes means for preventing an oscillation of the reaction signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second detecting means includes means for detecting the deflecting amount of the control means from a neutral position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the producing means includes means for converting coordinates of data corresponding to the end force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the producing means includes means for generating different reaction signals corresponding to a sign of the deflecting amount.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the producing means includes means for calculating reaction force F R from the deflecting amount X and the end force f in accordance with the following relationship: F.sub.R =0(-a<x<a), F.sub.R =KaX-a/Ka(x≧a); F.sub.R =KbX+a/Kb(x≦-a); where Ka and Kb are expressed by functions of the end force f and a is constant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein Ka and Kb are related as follows, if f≧0, Ka=C|f|+Co and Kb=Co; and if f<0, Ka=Co and Kb=C|f|+Co; where C and Co are constants.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the producing means includes means for generating different reaction signals corresponding to a sign of the end force.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the producing means includes means for generating the reaction signals corresponding to reaction force/torque which have approximately symmetrical characteristics to a reference position on a predetermined axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the producing means includes means for calculating the reaction signals corresponding to six degrees of freedom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the driving means includes multiplying means for multiplying the difference value and a value corresponding to a coefficient of viscosity when the control means is considered to be supported by an elastic mechanism; a motor driver for driving the manipulator by speed control; sensing means for detecting rotational velocity of the motor driver; subtracting means for detecting difference signals between outputs from the multiplying means and the sensing means; and compensating means responsive to output from the subtracting means for generating desired torque, and producing the torque to the motor driver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the producing means includes means for generating signals corresponding to an absolute value of reaction force which increase rapidly when an absolute value of the deflecting amount exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the driving means includes means for generating desired torque by a PID controller; and a motor driver responsive to the desired torque for driving the control means.