Patent · US Expired

Leg joint assist device for leg type movable robot

US6962220B2 · kind B2 · utility

42Cited by
4References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 2002
Grant dateNov 8, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 22, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/20305
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An assist device that applies an auxiliary driving force to a joint in parallel with a driving force of a joint actuator between a thigh portion and a crus portion, which are a pair of link members of a leg. The assist device generates the auxiliary driving force by use of spring device, such as a solid spring or an air spring. A member supporting a rod member connected to the spring device is provided with a device for transmitting a bending and stretching motion of the leg at the joint (a relative displacement motion between the thigh portion and the crus portion) to the spring device to generate an elastic force of the spring device, and for discontinuing the transmission of the bending and stretching motion to the spring device. This transmitting device is controlled in accordance with a gait of a robot. Thus, a burden on the joint actuator is reduced where necessary and favorable utilization efficiency of energy can be stably ensured.

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