Robotic member
US7154362B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N1/006
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elongated robotic member that is simple in design and structure, relatively inexpensive and consumes little power. In one illustrative embodiment, one or more linear actuators are used in conjunction with two or more plates that are fixed at spaced locations along a spine member. Fixed between each pair of plates is one or more actuators, which when activated, pull or push corresponding portions of the plates towards or away from each other. This changes the relative orientation of the plate pairs, thus providing a bending movement. The spine preferably is flexible at least in the lateral direction, and bends in response to the relative movement of the plates. A number of plate pairs may be provided to create an arbitrarily long robotic member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.