Device for generating a defined position and orientation of at least one platform

• US 5,960,672 A
• Filed: 04/18/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vdw Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken E.V.
• Original Assignee: Vdw Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken E.V.
• Inventors: Pritschow, Gunter, Wurst, Karl-Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Graysay, Tamara L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FENSTERMACHER, DAVID MORGAN
• Application Number:
  US08/844,708
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 74/490.07, 74/490.03, 74/490.01, 74/490.05, 901/16, 901/23, 901/28
• US Class Current: 74/490.07
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/5462 with one supplementary sliding pair
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 17/0266 comprising more than two actuating or connecting rods
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0039 with kinematics chains of the type prismatic-spherical-spherical
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0072 of the hybrid type, i.e. having different kinematics chains
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/125 for tilting and rolling F16M11/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20317 including electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20341 Power elements as controlling elements

Abstract

A device for generating a defined position and orientation of at least one platform includes rod elements arranged in at least one four-bar linkage. The at least one four-bar linkage is pivotably connected to the platform. The angular position of the at least one four-bar linkage is motorically adjustable for changing an orientation of the platform.

Claims

1. A device comprising at least one platform and rod elements, said rod elements arranged in at least one four-bar linkage, wherein said at least one four-bar linkage has four of said rod elements connected to one another to form a quadrangle, said at least one four-bar linkage pivotably connected to said at least one platform, wherein an angular position of said at least one four-bar linkage is motorically adjustable for changing an orientation of said at least one platform.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said rod elements of said at least one four-bar linkage is motorically adjustable for changing said angular position.

3. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a rotary drive for adjusting the angular position.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one rod element is rotatable by said rotary drive about a rotary axis extending angularly to said rotary drive.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said rotary axis extends perpendicularly to said rotary drive.

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one rod element is motorically length-adjustable for changing said angular position.

7. A device according to claim 6, further comprising a rectilinear sliding joint for length-adjusting said at least one length-adjustable rod element.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said rectilinear sliding joint is integrated in said at least one length-adjustable rod element.

9. A device according to claim 7, further comprising at least one connecting arm, wherein said rectilinear sliding joint is connected with said at least one connecting arm to said at least one length-adjustable rod element.

10. A device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one four-bar linkage has a plane rest position and is moveable out of said plane rest position in a direction transverse to said plane rest position.

11. A device according to claim 10, further comprising a rotary drive, wherein one of said at least one rod elements has a transverse center axis, extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension of said one rod element, and is rotatable by said rotary drive about said transverse center axis.

12. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a rotary drive and a rectilinear sliding joint connected to one of said rod elements.

13. A device according to claim 12, further comprising at least one linear drive, connected to one of said at least two four-bar linkages, for positioning said at least one platform.

14. A device according to claim 13, comprising two of said linear drives, wherein two of said rod elements of said one of said at least two four-bar linkage are pivotably connected to one of said linear drives, respectively.

15. A device according to claim 14, further comprising a common linear guide, wherein said two linear drives are displaceable on said common linear guide.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said angular position is adjustable by rotating at least one rotatable part of one of said at least one rod elements about a longitudinal axis of said at least one rod element.

17. A device according to claim 16, further comprising a rotary drive connected to one of said at least one rod elements for rotating said at least one rotatable part relative to a remaining part of said at least one rod element about said longitudinal axis of said at least one rod element without elongating said at least one rod element, wherein said rotary drive connects said at least one rotatable part and said remaining part.

18. A device according to claim 1, comprising at least two of said four-bar linkages for supporting said at least one platform.