Back to results
US 2010/0145510 A1Published application
Planar torsion spring
AssigneesGM Global Technology Operations LLC, U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsChris A. Ihrke, Adam H. Parsons, Joshua S. Mehling, Bryan Kristian Griffith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torsion spring comprises an inner mounting segment. An outer mounting segment is located concentrically around the inner mounting segment. A plurality of splines extends from the inner mounting segment to the outer mounting segment. At least a portion of each spline extends generally annularly around the inner mounting segment.
Claims14
A torsion spring comprising:
- an inner mounting segment;
- an outer mounting segment located concentrically around the inner mounting segment;
- and
- a plurality of splines extending from the inner mounting segment to the outer mounting segment, wherein at least a portion of each spline extends partially annularly around the inner mounting segment.
1 more element
A robot arm comprising:
- a robot joint having at least one drive component;
- an output link mounted to the robot joint;
- a torsion spring located between the at least one drive component and the output link, wherein the torsion spring includes;
- an inner mounting segment connected to the at least one drive component;
- an outer mounting segment located concentrically around the inner mounting segment, wherein the outer mounting segment is connected to the output link;
- and
- a plurality of splines extending from the inner mounting segment to the outer mounting segment, wherein at least a portion of each spline extends partially annularly around the inner mounting segment.
4 more elements
A method of operating a robot arm comprising:
- mounting an inner mounting segment of a torsion spring to at least one drive component within a robot joint;
- mounting an outer mounting segment of the torsion spring to an output link of the robot joint;
- moving the at least one drive component within the robot joint to rotate the inner mounting segment of the torsion spring relative to the outer mounting segment of the torsion spring from an original position to a rotated position, wherein the relative rotation causes a plurality of splines to elastically deform;
- and
- releasing the at least one drive component within the robot joint to allow the plurality of splines to return to an undeformed position and the inner mounting segment of the torsion spring to return to the original position.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.