Soft actuator and gripper assembly
US10953551B1 · kind B1 · utility
1Cited by
8References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25J15/12
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A soft actuator for a suction-cup end effector bends or deforms in response to air pressure within bladders in the actuator. The walls of the air bladders, upon pressurization, expand to contact adjacent structure, such as other expanding air bladders, to move a constraining layer of the actuator from a rest position toward an actuated position. A gripper for engaging items is formed by the soft actuator and a suction cup.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.