Gripper for linear voice coil actuator
US6076875A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S294/907
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The, present invention is a gripper for use in combination with a machine for repositioning a component. Structurally, the present invention includes a housing formed with a chamber. A fixed-pole housing magnet is positioned inside of the chamber. A pair of grips are slidingly mounted for movement relative to the housing. Each grip is partially contained in the chamber and partially projects from the housing. An electromagnetic coil is attached to each grip. Functionally, the gripper is positioned with an assembly component between the grips. A separate electric current is then passed through each of the electromagnetic coils mounted on each of the respective grips. The electric current causes each electromagnetic coil to generate a magnetic field which interacts with the housing magnet. The interaction between the magnetic fields generated by the electromagnetic coils and the housing magnet creates a force on each grip, causing each grip to move translationally to hold, or squeeze, the component. The machine may then be utilized to reposition the gripper and the component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.