Variable stiffness suction gripper
US9457477B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/40
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An example suction gripper is disclosed that includes a contacting pillow including a plurality of particles inside a non-rigid membrane that allow the contacting pillow to conform to a shape of an object when the contacting pillow is pressed against the object, a plurality of suction cups arranged on the non-rigid membrane of the contacting pillow, and a vacuum system coupled to the contacting pillow and to the plurality of suction cups. The vacuum system may be configured to apply suction to the object through at least one of the plurality of suction cups that is in contact with the object when the contacting pillow is pressed against the object and increase stiffness of the contacting pillow by removing air between the plurality of particles inside the non-rigid membrane of the contacting pillow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.