US 12,186,039 B2
Semi-automatic precision positioning robot apparatus and method
James R. Cody, III, Tustin, CA (US); Ping-Yang Shih, Santa Ana, CA (US); and Tiffany Diemtrinh Tran, Irvine, CA (US)
Assigned to EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/220,420.
Application 17/220,420 is a continuation of application No. 16/258,143, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, granted, now 11,471,225.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/622,014, filed on Jan. 25, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0220061 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/04 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/11 (2016.01); A61F 2/24 (2006.01); B25J 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 34/30 (2016.02) [A61B 17/00234 (2013.01); A61B 17/0469 (2013.01); A61B 34/70 (2016.02); A61B 90/11 (2016.02); A61F 2/2427 (2013.01); B25J 9/0096 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00243 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0496 (2013.01); A61B 2034/305 (2016.02); A61F 2/24 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A semi-automatic precision positioning robot apparatus, comprising: a gear system, the gear system comprising:
a plurality of gear chains;
a workpiece holding unit gear, wherein the workpiece holding unit gear is coupled to the plurality of gear chains; and
a workpiece holding unit, wherein the workpiece holding unit is coupled to the workpiece holding unit gear;
wherein the gear system is configured to position a workpiece, by positioning the workpiece holding unit, relative to a tool, the tool configured to facilitate performance of a manufacturing operation on the workpiece;
wherein the plurality of gear chains individually comprise:
a rotary actuator,
a gear shaft, wherein the gear shaft is coupled to and driven by the rotary actuator,
a worm wheel, wherein the worm wheel is coupled to and driven by the gear shaft,
a worm gear, wherein the worm gear is coupled to and driven by the worm wheel, and
an end gear, wherein the end gear is coupled to and driven by the worm gear; and
wherein the workpiece holding unit gear is coupled to the end gear of each of the plurality of gear chains.