Patent ID: 8453533
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: B08B,B25J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A four degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) single robot unit module, comprising: (a) a center link having first and second ends; (b) a first outer link pivotably connected to the first end of the center link about a first pivot axis; (c) a second outer link pivotably connected to the second end of the center link about a second pivot axis; (d) a first planar faceplate rotationally connected to the first outer link; (e) a second planar faceplate rotationally connected to the second outer link; (f) wherein each said faceplate is rotatable about a faceplate rotation axis that is substantially orthogonal to the pivot axis of the outer link to which the faceplate is connected; (g) wherein each said faceplate is detachably connectable to a like faceplate in another module by a faceplate-to-faceplate connection; and (h) wherein each said outer link comprises a first section and a second section with an interior space therebetween, and wherein each end of the center link is positioned in the interior space between the sections of one of said outer links; (i) wherein each said outer link includes a faceplate motor and drive gear assembly that rotates the faceplate connected to said outer link relative to each said outer link; (j) whereby pivot motion of the outer links about their respective pivot axis and rotational motion of the faceplates about their respective rotation axis establishes four degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) motion in a single robot unit module.