logo

For the Inventor, By the Inventor

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Patent No.:

US 11117272 B1

PDFFull Text
Date of Patent:
Sep. 14, 2021

Filed:

Apr. 24, 2019

Variable-stiffness actuator

Applicant:

Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, JP;

Inventor:

Masaya Takahashi, Hachioji, JP;

Assignee:

OLYMPUS CORPORATION, Tokyo, JP;

Attorney:

Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser, P.C.

Primary Examiner:

Vinh Luong

Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J 19/06 (2006.01); F16C 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/005 (2006.01); G02B 23/24 (2006.01); F03G 7/06 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J 19/068 (2013.01); A61B 1/00 (2013.01); A61B 1/0058 (2013.01); F03G 7/06 (2013.01); F16C 1/00 (2013.01); G02B 23/24 (2013.01);
Abstract

A variable-stiffness actuator is to be installed into a flexible member and provide different degrees of stiffness to the flexible member. The actuator includes two hard members located apart from each other, and a shape-memory member connecting the hard members. The shape-memory member has a property of transitioning in phase between a first phase and a second phase. The shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state when in the first phase, and is in a high stiffness state when in the second phase. The actuator also includes a inducing member configured to cause a portion of the shape-memory member between the hard members to transition in phase between the first and second phases, and a urging member configured to urge the hard members in directions away from each other.

Find Patent Forward Citations

Takahashi, Masaya. (2021). Variable-stiffness actuator (U.S. Patent No. 11117272). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://idiyas.com/patent/badge/11117272

Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile

Loading…