Patent ID: 8358422

Claim:
A robot having an auto-zeroing function, including a connection member relatively displaceably connected, and being configured to control a displacement of the connection member based on a reference posture that can be adjusted, the robot comprising: a light emitting unit configured to emit a laser beam in a predetermined direction; a light receiving unit configured to receive the laser beam when the connection member is located in a detection posture that is away, by a preset displacement amount, from a predetermined zero posture; and a zeroing unit configured to relatively displace the connection member so as to make the light receiving unit receive the laser beam, and then to adjust the reference posture to the zero posture based on a posture of the connection member when the laser beam is received as well as on a relationship between the zero posture and the detection posture, wherein the zeroing unit first relatively displaces the connection member in one direction so as to make the light receiving unit receive the laser beam, and then relatively displaces the connection member in another direction different from the one direction so as to make the light receiving unit receive the laser beam, and thereafter determines an average value of postures of the connection member respectively detected when the laser beam is received upon a displacement in the one direction and when the laser beam is received upon a displacement in the another direction as a posture of the connection member when the laser beam is received, wherein the robot further comprises: a base to which a plurality of connection members are attached such that the connection members can be respectively displaced relative to the base as well as can be respectively displaced relative to one another; a reflector provided to each of the plurality of connection members and configured to reflect the laser beam emitted from the light emitting unit, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided to the base, wherein the reflector is a regression-type reflector, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are integrated together so as to constitute a coaxial laser sensor, wherein the zeroing unit adjusts the reference posture one after another from the connection member positioned nearer to the base, wherein an optical axis of the light emitting unit is perpendicular to a plane in which the connection member rotates, and wherein one reflector is provided to a surface of each connection member.