Soft actuators and soft actuating devices
US10385886B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/5066
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A soft buckling linear actuator is described, including: a plurality of substantially parallel bucklable, elastic structural components each having its longest dimension along a first axis; and a plurality of secondary structural components each disposed between and bridging two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components; wherein every two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components and the secondary structural components in-between define a layer comprising a plurality of cells each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; the secondary structural components from two adjacent layers are not aligned along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and the secondary structural components are configured not to buckle, the bucklable, elastic structural components are configured to buckle along the second axis to generate a linear force, upon the inflation or deflation of the cells. Methods of actuation using the same are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.