IP Library Granted Patent US 12697738
Granted Patent B2
US 12697738 · App. 18/515,474 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Robot, drive mechanism, speed reducer, torque sensor, and torque detection method

Inventors: Fei Zhao (Kitakyushu, JP); Kumiko Toma (Kitakyushu, JP); Shinsuke Kuchiwano (Kitakyushu, JP); Eiji Fujitsu (Kitakyushu, JP); Satoshi Sueyoshi (Kitakyushu, JP)
Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
B25J13/085B25J9/0009B25J9/1633
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12697738
App. No.
18/515,474
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A robot includes a speed reducer that increases a first torque output from a motor and outputs a second torque, a torque sensor including an output part that outputs the second torque output from the speed reducer, and a sensor part that detects at least a torque applied to the output part, and a damper that is positioned in a transmission path of the second torque from the speed reducer to the torque sensor and damps transmission of the second torque.

Claims (44)

1 . A robot, comprising:

a speed reducer configured to increase a first torque output from a motor to generate a second torque, and including a first output part configured to output the second torque;

a torque sensor including

a second input part configured to input the second torque output from the first output part,

a second output part configured to output the second torque input by the second input part, and

a sensor part configured to detect at least a torque applied to the second output part; and

a damper positioned between the first output part and the second input part in a transmission path of the second torque from the speed reducer to the torque sensor and configured to damp transmission of the second torque.

2 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor part includes an optical sensor configured to optically detect the torque.

3 . The robot according to claim 2 , wherein the speed reducer further includes:

a first input part configured to input the first torque output from the motor, and

a speed reducing part configured to increase the first torque input by the first input part,

the torque sensor further includes a linking part configured to link the second input part and the second output part, and

the optical sensor is configured to detect the torque based on a relative displacement between the second input part and the second output part.

4 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the damper is a member that is interposed between the first output part and the second input part and is formed separately from the speed reducer and the torque sensor.

5 . The robot according to claim 4 , wherein the member is interposed between a first transmission surface configured to transmit the second torque of the first output part and a second transmission surface configured to transmit the second torque of the second input part.

6 . The robot according to claim 5 , further comprising:

a fixer configured to fix the second input part to the first output part,

wherein the member is interposed between the first transmission surface and the second transmission surface at a position fixed by the fixer.

7 . The robot according to claim 6 , wherein the member is an elastic shim member sandwiched between the first transmission surface and the second transmission surface.

8 . The robot according to claim 5 , wherein the member is an elastic shim member sandwiched between the first transmission surface and the second transmission surface.

9 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the damper is formed as a part of the first output part.

10 . The robot according to claim 9 , wherein the damper is formed as a part with a lower Young's modulus than other parts.

11 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein the damper is formed as a part of the second input part.

12 . The robot according to claim 11 , wherein the damper is formed as a part with a lower Young's modulus than other parts.

13 . The robot according to claim 1 , wherein

the speed reducer further includes:

a first input part configured to input the first torque output from the motor, and

a speed reducing part configured to increase the first torque input by the first input part.

14 . The robot according to claim 13 , wherein the torque sensor further includes a linking part configured to link the second input part and the second output part.

15 . The robot according to claim 14 , wherein the damper is a member that is interposed between the first output part and the second input part and is formed separately from the speed reducer and the torque sensor.

16 . The robot according to claim 15 , wherein the member is interposed between a first transmission surface configured to transmit the second torque of the first output part and a second transmission surface configured to transmit the second torque of the second input part.

17 . A torque sensor, comprising:

an input part configured to input a torque output from a first output part of a speed reducer;

a second output part configured to output the torque input by the input part; and

a sensor part configured to detect at least a torque applied to the second output part,

wherein the input part includes a damper positioned between the first output part and the input part in a transmission path of the torque from the speed reducer to the torque sensor and formed as a part of the input part, and configured to damp transmission of the torque from the speed reducer.

18 . A torque detection method, comprising:

increasing a first torque output from a motor using a speed reducer to output a second torque from a first output part of the speed reducer;

inputting the second torque output from the first output part using an input part of a torque sensor;

outputting the second torque input by the input part using a second output part of the torque sensor;

detecting at least a torque applied to the second output part using a sensor part of the torque sensor; and

damping transmission of the second torque using a damper positioned between the first output part and the input part in a transmission path of the second torque from the speed reducer to the torque sensor.

19 . The torque detection method according to claim 18 , wherein the damper is formed as a part of the first output part.

20 . The torque detection method according to claim 18 , wherein the damper is formed as a part of the input part.