Patent · US Expired

Intelligent, self-contained robotic hand

US7168748B2 · kind B2 · utility

125Cited by
25References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 2003
Grant dateJan 30, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 7, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/20329
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A robotic device has a base and at least one finger having at least two links that are connected in series on rotary joints with at least two degrees of freedom. A brushless motor and an associated controller are located at each joint to produce a rotational movement of a link. Wires for electrical power and communication serially connect the controllers in a distributed control network. A network operating controller coordinates the operation of the network, including power distribution. At least one, but more typically two to five, wires interconnect all the controllers through one or more joints. Motor sensors and external world sensors monitor operating parameters of the robotic hand. The electrical signal output of the sensors can be input anywhere on the distributed control network. V-grooves on the robotic hand locate objects precisely and assist in gripping. The hand is sealed, immersible and has electrical connections through the rotary joints for anodizing in a single dunk without masking. In various forms, this intelligent, self-contained, dexterous hand, or combinations of such hands, can perform a wide variety of object gripping and manipulating tasks, as well as locom…

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