Device and method for wireless material handling systems
First Claim
1. A material handling device for maneuvering at least one object, among other components, comprising:
- at least one actuator to cause said material handling device to move;
an instrumented glove wearable by a human hand, wherein said instrumented glove detects a contact force imposed by said human hand on said object or a part of said material handling device, and generates a set of contact signals representing said contact force;
at least one transmitter circuitry capable of transmitting a set of control signals representing said contact signals; and
employing said control signals to control said actuator to move said object through a trajectory wherein said human contact force is less than a human force that would be required to move said object through said trajectory without the aid of said material handling device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a device and method for wireless material handling systems. The invention further provides an instrumented glove device worn by an operator. A sensory system within the glove device measures the contact force the operator is exerting on either an object to be moved or the material handling system and generates a set of contact signals representing the contact force. The contact signals are transmitted, via a transmitter circuitry, to a controller in another location. The controller receives and processes the signals and generates a set of command signals. The command signals control the speed and mechanical assistance required of an actuator, as a function of the operator contact force, to move the material handling system.
80 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A material handling device for maneuvering at least one object, among other components, comprising:
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at least one actuator to cause said material handling device to move;
an instrumented glove wearable by a human hand, wherein said instrumented glove detects a contact force imposed by said human hand on said object or a part of said material handling device, and generates a set of contact signals representing said contact force;
at least one transmitter circuitry capable of transmitting a set of control signals representing said contact signals; and
employing said control signals to control said actuator to move said object through a trajectory wherein said human contact force is less than a human force that would be required to move said object through said trajectory without the aid of said material handling device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of operating a material handling device, comprising the steps of:
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providing an instrumented glove wearable on a human operator'"'"'s hand;
pressing by said human operator wearing said instrumented glove on a part of said material handling device or an object being carried by said material handling device;
sensing the contact force imposed by said human operator'"'"'s hand on said material handling device or said object;
transmitting a set of control signals representing said contact force from a transmitter circuitry;
receiving said control signals through a receiver circuitry; and
employing said control signals to control said actuator to move said material handling device and said object through a trajectory such that said human contact force is smaller than a human force that would be required to move said object through said trajectory without the aid of said material handling device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
collecting said contact signals in a micro-controller;
sending a set of information signals representing said contact signals to a transmitter module; and
radiating a set of RF waves representing said control signals through a transmitting antenna.
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30. The method according to claim 22, wherein said receiving step further comprises:
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receiving a set of RF waves in a receiver module representing said control signals through a receiving antenna; and
sending a set of data representing said RF waves to said computer.
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31. The method according to claim 22, wherein said controlling the speed and mechanical assistance of said actuator comprises:
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generating a set of command signals by a computer as a function of said control signals; and
delivering said command signals from said computer to a power amplifier which transfers power to said actuator.
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32. The method according to claim 22, wherein controlling the speed and mechanical assistance of said actuator comprises:
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generating a set of command signals by a computer as a function of said control signals; and
delivering said command signals from said computer to a pneumatic or hydraulic servo-valve which delivers pressurized air or fluid to said actuator.
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33. The method according to claim 22, further comprising pre-programming said material handling device to travel through a predetermined trajectory.
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34. A rotating table system for rotating at least one object, said rotating table system comprising:
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at least one actuator to cause said rotating table system to turn;
an instrumented glove wearable by a human hand that detects a contact force imposed by said human hand on said object or a part of said rotating table system, and generates a set of contact signals representing said contact force;
at least one transmitter circuitry capable of transmitting a set of control signals representing said contact signals to other locations; and
a controller to receive and process said control signals and to generate a set command signals to control said actuator to cause said rotating table system to move such that said actuator and rotating table system turn causing said object and said rotating table system to follow the operator hand motion. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification