Patent · US Expired

Microgripper

US5538305A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
35References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 25, 1995
Grant dateJul 23, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 25, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S294/902
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A microgripper for gripping and releasing an object, particularly very small objects. The microgripper includes a support and two cantilevered flexible arms, each of which is mounted on one end to the support. The other ends of the flexible arms are capable of being flexed toward and away from each other. A servomotor, is affixed to the support. There is a slide arrangement driven by the servomotor and which is adapted to move the unmounted ends of the flexible arms toward or away from each other, thereby providing, respectively, a gripping or releasing movement. An apparatus which includes a micromanipulator, the microgripper which is operationally, detachably affixed to the micromanipulator, and a control system which is electrically connected to the motor means whereby the movement of the slide arrangement is controlled.

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