Patent · US Active

End of arm tools for soft robotic systems

US10569422B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by

27References

26Claims

0Family size

Assignee

SOFT ROBOTICS, INC. · US

Inventors

Jeffrey Curhan · East Greenwich, US
Craig Demello · Newfields, US
Thomas Womersley · Newton, US

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 15, 2018
Grant date	Feb 25, 2020
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 15, 2038

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB25J15/12
WIPO fieldHandling
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments relate to unique structures for robotic end-of-arm-tools (EOATs). According to some embodiments, two or more fingers or actuators may be present on an EOAT, and the actuators may be configured to move (together or separately) to adjust the spacing between the actuators. Some aspects involve techniques for extending and/or retracting a vacuum cup present on the EOAT. Further embodiments, which may be used separately or in conjunction with the previously-described embodiments, apply a secondary inner grip pad to provide a secondary gripping mode for the EOAT. These embodiments may be particularly advantageous when the actuators are soft robotic actuators and the inner grip pad is a relatively more rigid structure than the actuators.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.