Actuators for simulating muscle activity in robotics
First Claim
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1. An integrated apparatus for generating a motion stimulus, said apparatus comprising:
- a base;
bellows means, at least partially integrally coupled to said base and responsive to a pressure condition at an input port of said bellows means, for generating a motion stimulus;
valve means, at least partially formed within said base and integrally coupled to said bellows means, for operatively regulating the application of pressure to the input port of said bellows means; and
a controller means, at least partially formed within said base, for controlling the operation of said valve means.
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Abstract
An apparatus generates power at micro-scale dimensions that is sufficient to simulate the muscle activity required by the joints of robotic fingers. The apparatus includes a bellows device for generating a motion stimulus in response to pressure changes within the bellows. A configuration of programmable micromachined valves is used to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid within the bellows. A microprocessor is responsive to motion commands for controlling the operation of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured as an integrated device that is coupled to the articulations of a robotic hand via suitable attachment mechanisms.
184 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An integrated apparatus for generating a motion stimulus, said apparatus comprising:
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a base; bellows means, at least partially integrally coupled to said base and responsive to a pressure condition at an input port of said bellows means, for generating a motion stimulus; valve means, at least partially formed within said base and integrally coupled to said bellows means, for operatively regulating the application of pressure to the input port of said bellows means; and a controller means, at least partially formed within said base, for controlling the operation of said valve means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 28)
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15. A robotic system comprising:
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at least one robotic movable member; and an integrated actuator assembly coupled to said robotic movable member for moving said robotic movable member, said integrated actuator assembly comprising; a base, bellows means for generating a motion stimulus as pressurized fluid flows through an input port thereof, valve means, at least partially formed within said base in fluid communication with the input port of said bellows means, for controllably regulating the fluid flow through the input port of said bellows means, and controller means, at least partially formed within said base and coupled to said valve means, for controlling the operation of said valve means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31)
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26. A robotic system comprising:
a plurality of micromanipulative actuator assemblies, each comprising; a bellow means, responsive to a pressure conditions at an input port and drain port thereof, for generating a motion stimulus; a valve means, coupled to said bellows means, for operatively regulating the application of a pressure to at least one of the input and drain ports of said bellows means; a controller means for controlling the operation of said valve means; a common feed line connecting the input ports of all of said bellows means; and a common feed line connecting the drain ports of all of said bellows means.
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27. In an endoscopic system including a robotic system for maneuvering an implement, said robotic system comprising:
a plurality of micromanipulative actuator assemblies, each comprising; bellows means, responsive to a pressure conditions at an input port and drain port thereof, for generating a motion stimulus; valve means, coupled to said bellows means, for operatively regulating the application of a pressure to at least one of the input and drain ports of said bellows means; controller means for controlling the operation of said valve means; a common feed line connecting the input ports of all of said bellows means; and a common feed line connecting the drain ports of all of said bellows means.
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32. A robotic finger comprising:
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at least one joint at which two pivotable finger members are pivotably connected; and an integrated actuator assembly within the robotic finger coupled to one of the pivotable finger members to pivot the pivotable finger members relative to each other, said integrated actuator assembly comprising; a base; bellows means, at least partially integrally coupled to said base and responsive to a pressure condition at an input port of said bellows means, for generating a motion stimulus; valve means, at least partially formed within said base and integrally coupled to said bellows means, for operatively regulating the application of pressure to the input port of said bellows means; and electronic controller means, at least partially formed within said base, for controlling the operation of said valve means.
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33. An integrated apparatus for generating a motion stimulus, said apparatus comprising:
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bellows means, responsive to a pressure condition at an input port thereof, for generating a motion stimulus; pressure generation means for generating pressure at said input port, said pressure generation means comprising source means for generating a flow of pressurized fluid and vacuum means for generating a vacuum pressure; valve means, integrally coupled to said bellows means, for operatively regulating the application of said pressure at the input port of said bellows means, said valve means comprising; a first selectively operable micromachined valve adapted to admit the flow of pressurized fluid from said source means into said bellows means, and a second selectively operable micromachined valve coupled to said vacuum means and adapted to withdraw pressure from said bellows means; and integral controller means for controlling the operation of said valve means.
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34. An integrated apparatus for generating a motion stimulus, said apparatus comprising:
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bellows means, responsive to a pressure condition at an input port thereof, for generating a motion stimulus; pressure generation means for generating pressure at said input port, said pressure generation means comprising source means for generating a flow of pressurized fluid and vacuum means for generating a vacuum pressure; valve means, integrally coupled to said bellows means, for operatively regulating the application of said pressure at the input port of said bellows means, said valve means comprising a micromachined valve adapted to be selectively coupled to said source means for admitting the flow of pressurized fluid from said source means into said bellows means, or coupled to said vacuum means for withdrawing pressurized fluid from said bellows means; and integral controller means for controlling the operation of said valve means.
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35. In a robotic system including a configuration of robotic fingers, an integrated actuator assembly coupled to said robotic fingers for displacing said robotic fingers, said assembly comprising:
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bellows means for generating a motion stimulus as pressurized fluid flows through an input port thereof; valve means, in fluid communication with the input port of said bellows means, for controllably regulating the fluid flow through the input port of said bellows means, said valve means comprising a configuration of programmable micromachined valves; and controller means, coupled to said valve means, for controlling the operation of said valve means.
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36. In a robotic system including a configuration of robotic fingers, an integrated actuator assembly coupled to said robotic fingers for displacing said robotic fingers, said assembly comprising:
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bellows means for generating a motion stimulus as pressurized fluid flows through an input port thereof; valve means, in fluid communication with the input port of said bellows means, for controllably regulating the fluid flow through the input port of said bellows means; controller means, coupled to said valve means, for controlling the operation of said valve means, said controller means comprising a microprocessor; connector means adapted to receive data signals indicating a requested operating state of said bellows means and to receive power signals; receiver means, coupled to said connector means, for distributing said power signals as required by electrical requirements of said actuator assembly, and forwarding said data signals to said microprocessor, said microprocessor being responsive to said data signals for generating a command signal that effects the appropriate operation of said valve means consistent with the requested operating state of said bellows means; and memory means, coupled to said microprocessor and including a plurality of position commands each indexed to an operating state of said bellows means, for providing as said command signal the position command corresponding to said requested operating state.
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Specification