FLEXIBLE WRIST-TYPE ELEMENT AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flexible wrist-type element, comprising:
- a body housing extending along a first longitudinal axis;
a guide element at least partially extending along a second longitudinal axis and movably connected to the body housing, wherein the guide element comprises a first end movable to a first position defining a first angle between the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis of the body housing, wherein the first angle is variable; and
a plurality of couplings comprising a plurality of elements movably interconnected by a plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of couplings are movably positionable relative to the body housing and the guide element, wherein the plurality of couplings have an input end adjacent to the body housing configured to receive input force from a telemanipulation device and an opposing output end adjacent to the first end of the guide element, wherein the input end is configured to receive said input force comprising at least one of an axial force or a torsional force, and wherein the plurality of couplings are configured to transmit at least a portion of the input force from the input end to the output end when the first end of the guide element is in the first position defining the first angle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.
59 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A flexible wrist-type element, comprising:
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a body housing extending along a first longitudinal axis; a guide element at least partially extending along a second longitudinal axis and movably connected to the body housing, wherein the guide element comprises a first end movable to a first position defining a first angle between the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis of the body housing, wherein the first angle is variable; and a plurality of couplings comprising a plurality of elements movably interconnected by a plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of couplings are movably positionable relative to the body housing and the guide element, wherein the plurality of couplings have an input end adjacent to the body housing configured to receive input force from a telemanipulation device and an opposing output end adjacent to the first end of the guide element, wherein the input end is configured to receive said input force comprising at least one of an axial force or a torsional force, and wherein the plurality of couplings are configured to transmit at least a portion of the input force from the input end to the output end when the first end of the guide element is in the first position defining the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A flexible wrist-type element, comprising:
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a body housing extending along a first longitudinal axis; a first guide element at least partially extending along a second longitudinal axis and movably connected to the body housing, wherein the first guide element comprises a first end movable to a first position defining a first angle between the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis of the body housing, wherein the first angle is greater than or equal to zero degrees; a plurality of couplings comprising a plurality of elements movably interconnected by a plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of couplings are movably positionable relative to the body housing and the first guide element, wherein the plurality of couplings have an input end adjacent to the body housing configured to receive an input force from a telemanipulation device and an opposing output end adjacent to the first end of the first guide element, wherein the input end is configured to receive said input force comprising at least one of an axial force or a torsional force, and wherein the plurality of couplings are configured to transmit at least a portion of the input force from the input end to the output end when the first end of the first guide element is in the first position defining the first angle; a second guide element movably connected to the body housing, the first guide element and the plurality of couplings, wherein the second guide element further comprises a surface that defines limits for movement of the plurality of couplings, wherein the second guide element is movable to a second angle relative to the body housing when the first end of the first guide element is in the first position defining the first angle relative to the body housing, wherein the second angle is less than the first angle; and a guide housing connected to the body housing and the first guide element via a movable connection with the second guide element, wherein the guide housing is further movably connected to at least one of the plurality of couplings and comprises a support surface supporting the at least one of the plurality of couplings during movement of the first end of the first guide element to the first position defining the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A flexible wrist-type element, comprising:
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a body housing extending along a first longitudinal axis; a hub at least partially extending along a second longitudinal axis and movably connected to the body housing, wherein the hub comprises a first end movable to a first position defining a first angle between the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis of the body housing; a plurality of couplings comprising a plurality of elements movably interconnected by a plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of couplings are movably positionable relative to the body housing and the hub, wherein the plurality of couplings have an input end adjacent to the body housing configured to receive input force from a telemanipulation device and an opposing output end adjacent to the first end of the hub, wherein the input end is configured to receive said input force comprising at least one of an axial force or a torsional force, and wherein the plurality of couplings are configured to transmit at least a portion of the input force from the input end to the output end when the first end of the hub is in the first position defining the first angle; a guide element movably connected to the body housing, the hub and the plurality of couplings, wherein the guide element further comprises a surface that defines limits for movement of the plurality of couplings, wherein the guide element is movable to a second angle relative to the body housing when the first end of the hub is in the first position defining the first angle relative to the body housing; a guide housing connected to the body housing and the hub via a movable connection with the guide element, wherein the guide housing is further movably connected to at least one of the plurality of couplings and comprises a support surface supporting the at least one of the plurality of couplings during movement of the first end of the hub to the first position defining the first angle; a drive system having an input mechanism coupled to the input end of the plurality of couplings, wherein the drive system generates the input force; and an end effector coupled to the output end of the plurality of couplings, wherein the end effector moves in response to receiving at least the portion of the input force transmitted by the plurality of couplings. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification