Patent · US Active

Electroadhesive gripping

US8325458B2 · kind B2 · utility

40Cited by
2References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 16, 2010
Grant dateDec 4, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 10, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB25J15/0085
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An electroadhesive gripping device or system includes a plurality of electroadhesive gripping surfaces, each having electrode(s) and each configured to be placed against respective surface regions of a foreign object, such that one or more electroadhesive forces can be provided between the electroadhesive gripping surfaces and the foreign object. Such electroadhesive forces operating to hold the foreign object against the electroadhesive gripping surfaces while the foreign object is held or moved by the electroadhesive gripping system. The electroadhesive gripping surfaces can be arranged onto a plurality of continuous fingers, and various gripping surfaces on each finger can be coupled together and manipulated with respect to each other by an actuating component, such as a cable actuator. A variable voltage can be delivered to the electrodes to control the amount of electroadhesive force generated, such that only a portion of a foreign object is held or moved.

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