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.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 2023

Filed:

Mar. 13, 2020
Applicant:

Empower Robotics Corporation, Lexington, MA (US);

Inventor:

John W. Meincke, II, Medfield, MA (US);

Assignee:

Empower Robotics Corporation, Lexington, MA (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J 19/00 (2006.01); B25J 17/00 (2006.01); F16D 55/38 (2006.01); F16D 125/64 (2012.01); F16D 121/14 (2012.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J 19/0004 (2013.01); B25J 17/00 (2013.01); F16D 55/38 (2013.01); F16D 2121/14 (2013.01); F16D 2125/64 (2013.01); F16H 2706/00 (2013.01);
Abstract

Mechanisms to realize lightweight rotational joints having passive, high torque braking in one or more degrees of freedom are presented herein. In addition, robotic systems incorporating one or more rotational joints with passive, high torque braking as described herein are also presented. Each degree of freedom includes a spring element to preload the braking assembly to maintain high torque braking. The force generated by the spring is multiplied to a much larger force applied to the braking elements by a lever structure and an eccentric mechanism. A human user manually displaces the spring element and effectively reduces braking torque to a desired amount. In a further aspect, a two degree of freedom mechanical shoulder joint and brake device is disposed in a structural path between the harness assembly of an upper body support system and a surface of a working environment.


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