Industrial robot

• US 20050244260A1
• Filed: 04/29/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Comau SPA (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Comau SPA (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Deplano, Stefano
• Application Number:
  US11/119,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20050244260A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/730
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/005 using batteries, e.g. as a back-up power source

Abstract

An industrial robot (1) comprises:

• • an articulated structure (2, 3, 5, 7, 10), which can move according to a number of axes for translating a tool (13) that comprises functional components of an electrical type (22, 24, 25, 26), provided for executing programmed operations;
  • an electronic control unit (15, 30), provided for managing both the movement of the structure of the robot (1) and the operation of the tool (13).

According to the invention, the tool (13) is equipped with an autonomous electric-power source (23), such as a battery, for supplying both the functional components (22, 24, 25, 26) and an electronic control circuit (28) for controlling the components themselves, and the control circuit (28) is in signal communication with the control unit (15, 30) in wireless mode, for the purposes of controlling the operation of the functional components (22, 24, 25, 26).

Claims

1. An industrial robot having:

a structure comprising two or more movable elements;

a functional device or tool supported by an element of the structure of the robot, such as a wrist device, for being translated for the purposes of execution of programmed operations, the tool comprising one or more functional components of an electrical type for executing said programmed operations; and

an electronic control system, which is operative for controlling movement of the structure of the robot and controlling the tool, said industrial robot being characterized in that the robot is equipped with an autonomous electric-power source operative for supplying both said functional component or said functional components and an electronic control circuit for controlling the components themselves, said control circuit (being in signal communication with said control system in wireless mode for the purposes of control of operation of the tool.

2. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said control system and said control circuit comprise respective means for exchange of signals via ether.

3. The robot according to claim 2, characterized in that:

said control system comprises at least one of;

an arrangement for transmission of signals for controlling operation of said functional component or said functional components; and

an arrangement for reception of signals generated by said functional component or said functional components,

said control circuit comprises at least one of;

an arrangement for reception of control signals generated by said control system ; and

an arrangement for transmission of signals generated by said functional component or said functional components.

4. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool (comprises a respective framework for supporting:

said functional component or said functional components;

said autonomous electric-power source; and

said control circuits.

5. The robot according to Claim 1, characterized in that said functional component or said functional components comprise at least one of electrical actuator means and sensor means.

6. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said autonomous electric-power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.

7. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said autonomous electric-power source comprises a battery mechanically and electrically coupled in a removable way to a respective seat, where in particular said control system is programmed for managing a cycle of replacement of said battery.

8. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said structure of the robot comprises:

a base and a column mounted on the base to rotate about a first substantially vertical axis;

an arm mounted oscillating on the column about a second axis;

a forearm amounted articulated on the arm about a third axis and with possibility of rotating about a respective fourth axis; and

a wrist device, supported by the forearm with possibility of rotation about at least two axes, where said tool is supported by the wrist device.

9. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool is a device for manipulation of pieces and in that said functional components comprise electrical actuator means for one or more gripping hands.

10. The robot according to claim 2, characterized in that exchange of signals via ether between said control system and said control circuit is obtained via transmission/reception of radiofrequency signals.

11. The robot according to claim 2, characterized in that said control system and said control circuit comprise respective means for exchange of signals via ether with a secure communication technique.

12. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said control system comprises a static electronic control unity, with which said control circuit is in signal communication in wireless mode.

13. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said control system comprises a portable programming terminal or teach pendant with which said control circuit is in signal communication in wireless mode.

14. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said control system comprises a static electronic control unit connected in wireless mode to a portable programming terminal or teach pendant, where at least one of said one static electronic control unit and said portable programming terminal or teach pendant is in signal communication in wireless mode with said control circuit.

15. The robot according to claim 1, characterized in that said control system comprises a static electronic control unit operatively connected to a portable programming terminal, and in that said control circuit is in signal communication in wireless mode both with said one control unit and with said portable terminal.

16. A tool for an industrial robot, which is to be fixed to a movable element forming part of a robot structured comprising a plurality of movable elements, the tool comprising one or more functional components of an electrical type for execution of programmed operations, said tool being characterized in that associated to the tool is an autonomous electric-power source, such as a battery, which is operative for supplying both said functional component or said functional components and an electronic control circuit for controlling the components themselves, where said control circuit comprises communication means for exchange of signals in wireless mode with an electronic device for managing the robot.