Transmission with falling-off prevention feature

{
  "publication_number": "US11781637B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Transmission with falling-off prevention feature",
  "abstract": "A speed reducer with a falling-off prevention feature according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a speed reducer for decelerating rotation from a drive source that generates a rotational force and outputting the decelerated rotation, the speed reducer being mounted to a robot; and a coupling member for coupling the speed reducer to the robot. The coupling member maintains coupling between the speed reducer and the robot irrespective of displacement of the speed reducer relative to the robot.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A transmission with a falling-off prevention feature, comprising: at least one transmission for changing a speed of rotation of a drive source, the drive source configured to generate a rotational force and output the rotation at the changed speed; and a coupling member configured to couple the transmission to a mating member, the transmission being configured to be mounted to the mating member in use, wherein the coupling member is configured to maintain coupling between the transmission and the mating member irrespective of displacement of the transmission relative to the mating member, wherein the transmission includes a casing, the casing being configured to be fixed to the mating member in use, wherein the coupling member is configured to couple the casing to the mating member, wherein the casing includes a flange portion having a through-hole extending through the flange portion in an axial direction of the transmission, wherein a fixing member is configured to be inserted or screwed into the through-hole, and wherein the coupling member is configured to be mounted to the fixing member.",
    "2. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a first coupling member fixed to the casing with the fixing member.",
    "3. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 2, wherein the coupling member includes a second coupling member fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the casing with the fixing member.",
    "4. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a second coupling member fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the casing with the fixing member.",
    "5. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a third coupling member wound on and fixed to the through-hole.",
    "6. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 5, wherein the flange portion has a groove for receiving the third coupling member embedded therein, and wherein the groove is continuous to the through-hole.",
    "7. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 1, wherein the transmission includes a hollow shaft extending in an axial direction of the transmission and configured to receive the rotation of the drive source, and wherein the coupling member includes a fourth coupling member extending through the hollow shaft.",
    "8. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmission comprises a plurality of transmissions configured to be provided on the mating member, and wherein each of the plurality of transmissions is configured to be connected to the mating member with the coupling member.",
    "9. The transmission with the falling-off prevention feature according to claim 1, wherein the transmission includes: a casing configured to be fixed to the mating member; at least one crankshaft provided in the casing and configured to rotate by receiving the rotation of the drive source; and an output shaft provided in the casing and configured to output decelerated rotation of the drive source, and wherein the transmission serves as an eccentric oscillating speed reducer in which rotation of the at least one crankshaft is decelerated and transmitted to the output shaft such that the output shaft rotates at a lower speed relative to the rotation of the drive source."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to a transmission with a falling-off prevention feature.\n\nThere have been known falling-off prevention devices for retaining a transmission (speed reducer) provided on industrial robots such that it does not fall off from the robots. For example, in the falling-off prevention device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-138094 (“the '094 Publication”), a projection is provided on a hold flange of the casing of the transmission, and a recess is provided in a plate on the robot side, thereby inhibiting the transmission from falling off.\n\nHowever, with the configuration disclosed in the '094 Publication, the transmission may fall off from the robot in the case where the recess in the plate on the robot (mating member) side or the casing of the transmission is damaged. More secure measure is necessary in robots placed close to humans or those working in cooperation with humans.\n\nOne object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmission with a falling-off prevention feature capable of inhibiting the transmission from falling off from a mating member.\n\nA transmission with a falling-off prevention feature according to an aspect of the present disclosure comprises: at least one transmission for changing a speed of rotation of a drive source that generates a rotational force and outputting the rotation at the changed speed; and a coupling member for coupling the transmission to a mating member to which the transmission is mounted.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16H 57/023",
    "B25J 19/04",
    "B25J 9/102",
    "E02F 9/2079",
    "F16H 1/28",
    "F16H 1/32",
    "F16H 2001/323",
    "F16H 2057/02069",
    "F16H 2057/0235",
    "F16H 57/02",
    "F16H 57/021",
    "F16H 57/025",
    "F16H 57/08"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16H 1/32",
    "F16H 57/023"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Nabtesco Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kazuyoshi MAKISUMI",
    "Yoshiaki Makizoe"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-05-12",
  "publication_date": "2023-10-10",
  "grant_date": "2023-10-10",
  "priority_date": "2021-05-20",
  "application_number": "US-202217743038-A",
  "family_id": "82100701",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US5078027A",
    "US5501122A",
    "JP2004138094A",
    "US20050221941A1",
    "US8464413B1",
    "JP2012117609A",
    "KR20130045044A",
    "US20140298939A1",
    "WO2014073185A1",
    "JP2016205601A",
    "US20190203825A1",
    "US20180079074A1",
    "US9815192B1",
    "JP2020193624A"
  ]
}