IP Library › Granted Patent US 12697739
Granted Patent B2
US 12697739 · App. 18/829,065 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Driving apparatus, control method, robot, recording medium, and method of manufacturing products

Inventors: Masaru Ogata (Tokyo, JP); Junichi Fukuda (Kanagawa, JP); Yohji Nakajima (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
B25J13/085B25J9/108
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12697739
App. No.
18/829,065
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A driving apparatus is configured to displace a second link with respect to a first link. The driving apparatus includes a driving portion including an output portion configured to output a driving force that displaces the second link, a sensor configured to obtain information on force, a connection member configured to connect the output portion and the sensor, a first bearing, and a second bearing. The sensor is connected between the second link and the connection member. The first bearing and the second bearing are connected to the connection member for displacing the second link with respect to the first link.

Claims (54)

1 . A driving apparatus configured to displace a second link with respect to a first link, the driving apparatus comprising:

a driving portion including an output portion configured to output a driving force that displaces the second link;

a sensor configured to obtain information on force;

a connection member configured to connect the output portion and the sensor;

a first bearing; and

a second bearing,

wherein the sensor is connected between the second link and the connection member,

wherein the first bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the output portion to rotatably support the output portion with respect to the first link or connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link, and

wherein the second bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link.

2 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are disposed on the driving portion side with respect to the sensor in a force transmission path from the driving portion to the second link.

3 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the connection member includes a cylindrical portion that extends from the first bearing toward the second bearing.

4 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the connection member is disposed in an interior of the second link, with a clearance being formed between the connection member and the second link.

5 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the second link is positioned between the first bearing and the second bearing.

6 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the driving portion includes an electric motor, and the first bearing is configured to support a rotor of the electric motor and the first link.

7 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the driving portion includes a reduction mechanism, and the first bearing is configured to support an output portion of the reduction mechanism and the first link.

8 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the connection member includes a fixing portion configured to fix a line that extends from the first link to the second link.

9 . The driving apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the connection member is cylindrical, the fixing portion is positioned at a fixed position on the second link side, and the line is fixed by the fixing portion.

10 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a seal member disposed between the connection member and the second link.

11 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first bearing and the second bearing includes any one of a roller bearing or a ball bearing.

12 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second link is configured to be displaced around a rotation axis, and

wherein when viewed along the rotation axis, the first bearing and the second bearing are spaced from each other.

13 . The driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are provided so as not to come into contact with the second link.

14 . A method of controlling a driving apparatus that displaces a second link with respect to a first link, the method comprising: controlling, by a control portion, a driving portion, based on an information on force obtained by a sensor,

wherein the driving apparatus includes;

the driving portion including an output portion configured to output a driving force that displaces the second link;

the sensor configured to obtain information on force;

a connection member configured to connect the output portion and the sensor;

a first bearing; and

a second bearing, and

wherein the sensor is connected between the second link and the connection member,

wherein the first bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the output portion to rotatably support the output portion with respect to the first link or connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link, and

wherein the second bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link.

15 . A computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes the control portion to execute the method according to claim 14 .

16 . A robot configured to displace a second link with respect to a first link, the robot comprising:

a driving portion including an output portion configured to output a driving force that displaces the second link;

a sensor configured to obtain information on force;

a connection member configured to connect the output portion and the sensor;

a first bearing; and

a second bearing,

wherein the sensor is connected between the second link and the connection member

wherein the first bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the output portion to rotatably support the output portion with respect to the first link or connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link, and

wherein the second bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link.

17 . A method of manufacturing products by controlling the robot according to claim 16 and by performing work for manufacturing the products.

18 . The method of manufacturing products according to claim 17 , wherein the work includes at least one of conveyance work, assembly work, machining work, and cleaning work for a component.

19 . A method of controlling a robot that displaces a second link with respect to a first link, the method comprising: controlling, by a control portion, a driving portion, based on an information on force obtained by a sensor,

wherein the robot includes;

the driving portion including an output portion configured to output a driving force that displaces the second link;

the sensor configured to obtain information on force;

a connection member configured to connect the output portion and the sensor;

a first bearing; and

a second bearing, and

wherein the sensor is connected between the second link and the connection member,

wherein the first bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the output portion to rotatably support the output portion with respect to the first link or connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link, and

wherein the second bearing is provided on the first link and is connected to the connection member to rotatably support the connection member with respect to the first link.