Multi-fingered robotic hand
First Claim
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1. Apparatus adapted for use in a mechanical hand comprising:
- a first finger joint pivotally connected to said hand;
a second finger joint pivotally connected to said first finger joint;
a third finger joint pivotally connected to said second finger joint;
first, second, third and fourth control cables; and
means for guiding and attaching said first, second, third and fourth control cables with respect to said first, second and third finger joints such that pulling the second and third cables in opposite directions while holding the first and fourth cables fixed rotates the third joint, such that holding said second and third cables fixed while pulling the first and fourth cables oppositely to one another rotates the second joint, and such that pulling the second and third cables in the same direction, while permitting the first and fourth cables to move, rotates the first joint in a first direction and pulling the first and fourth cables, while permitting the second and third cables to move, rotates the first joint in a direction opposite to said first direction.
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Abstract
A robotic hand having a plurality of fingers, each having a plurality of joints pivotally connected one to the other, with actuators connected at one end to an actuating and control mechanism mounted remotely from the hand and at the other end to the joints of the fingers for manipulating the fingers and passing externally of the robot manipulating arm in between the hand and the actuating and control mechanism. The fingers include pulleys to route the actuators within the fingers. Cable tension sensing structure mounted on a portion of the hand are disclosed, as is the covering of the tip of each finger with a resilient and pliable friction enhancing surface.
240 Citations
9 Claims
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1. Apparatus adapted for use in a mechanical hand comprising:
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a first finger joint pivotally connected to said hand; a second finger joint pivotally connected to said first finger joint; a third finger joint pivotally connected to said second finger joint; first, second, third and fourth control cables; and means for guiding and attaching said first, second, third and fourth control cables with respect to said first, second and third finger joints such that pulling the second and third cables in opposite directions while holding the first and fourth cables fixed rotates the third joint, such that holding said second and third cables fixed while pulling the first and fourth cables oppositely to one another rotates the second joint, and such that pulling the second and third cables in the same direction, while permitting the first and fourth cables to move, rotates the first joint in a first direction and pulling the first and fourth cables, while permitting the second and third cables to move, rotates the first joint in a direction opposite to said first direction.
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2. In a mechanical hand having an articulated finger with a first joint positioned along a first axis and a second joint positioned along a second axis with the second joint positioned outboard of the first joint, the improvement comprising:
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a first idler pulley positioned along said first axis; a first drive pulley positioned along said second axis with rotational movement of the first drive pulley causing articulation of the finger at said second joint; a first cable drive engaging said first idler pulley and said first drive pulley; said first cable drive producing rotation of said first idler pulley and said first drive pulley, and means to fix the position of said first idler pulley such that movement of the first cable drive produces articulation of the finger at said first joint. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification