Biomimetic joint actuators
US9060883B2 · kind B2 · utility
27Cited by
283References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/7625
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a powered actuator for supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to a joint, a motor is directly coupled to a low-reduction ratio transmission, e.g., a transmission having a gear ratio less than about 80 to 1. The motor has a low dissipation constant, e.g., less than about 50 W/(Nm)2. The transmission is serially connected to an elastic element that is also coupled to the joint, thereby supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to the joint while minimizing the power consumption and/or acoustic noise of the actuator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.