US 12,168,298 B2
Cable terminal end detection method and hand
Masato Kobayashi, Kobe (JP); Daiki Togashi, Chino (JP); and Takuya Wakayama, Matsumoto (JP)
Assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jan. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/584,414.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-011891 (JP), filed on Jan. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0234197 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 9/02 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); H01R 43/00 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 9/1612 (2013.01) [B25J 9/023 (2013.01); B25J 9/1664 (2013.01); B25J 9/1669 (2013.01); B25J 9/1674 (2013.01); B25J 13/084 (2013.01); H01R 43/00 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cable terminal end detection method for detecting a terminal end of a linear cable, the cable terminal end detection method comprising, when two axes crossing each other are represented as an X axis and a Z axis:
a gripping step for gripping, using a hand including a first gripping section and a second gripping section disposed to be separated on the X axis and configured to open and close in a direction along the Z axis, the cable in two places separated in a longitudinal direction with the first gripping section and the second gripping section;
a moving step for, in a state in which the cable is gripped by the hand, moving the cable to the first gripping section side in a direction along the X axis relatively to the hand by opening and closing the first gripping section and the second gripping section in a direction along the Z axis; and
a detecting step for detecting, with a tactile sensor disposed in the second gripping section to be in contact with the cable, that the cable slipped out from the second gripping section and detecting that the terminal end of the cable is located between the first gripping section and the second gripping section,
wherein
the first gripping section and the second gripping section relatively move in the direction along the X axis, and
the cable terminal end detection method further comprises, after the detecting step:
a stopping step for stopping the relative movement of the hand and the cable when the terminal end of the cable is located between the first gripping section and the second gripping section;
a second gripping section moving step for relatively moving the first gripping section and the second gripping section along the X axis and locating the second gripping section further on the first gripping section side than the terminal end of the cable; and
a second gripping section gripping step for gripping the cable with the second gripping section so that the terminal end of the cable is projected from the second gripping section.