Multi-function industrial robot
US4741078A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1985 |
| Grant date | May 3, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T408/37
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A multi-function industrial robot employs an servo motor to select one tool for use from among a plurality of tools mounted on a turret, the base of which is fixed to an end of a vertical spindle and supports a turret shaft that lies at an angle of 45.degree. with respect to the spindle. The turret head on which the tools are mounted is fixed to one end of the turret shaft and it and the tools are configured so that one active tool will be coaxial with the spindle, and a bevel gear mounted at the end of the turret shaft opposite the turret head engages a bevel gear mounted on the robot frame. The spindle can be raised and lowered such that at its uppermost position the two bevel gears engage, and a mechanism that normally prevents rotation of the turret shaft is released so that as the spindle turns the turret-mounted bevel gear revolves about the stationary bevel gear and drives the turret shaft and the turret head for rotation. By turning the spindle through a specific angle, a specific tool can be moved into alignment with the spindle. When the spindle is lowered, the bevel gears disengage and the locking mechanism prevents further rotation of the turret shaft and rotation of th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.