Electrical transmission through reconfigured clockspring
AssigneeTesla, Inc.
InventorsAlbert Tai, Huntington Jasperson, William O'Callaghan, Carson Pratt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuator assembly or a revolute joint for a device includes a rotating portion, a fixed portion, and a clockspring. The rotating portion is configured to interface the fixed portion. The fixed portion and the rotating portion structurally form a space that is at least partially surrounded by the fixed portion and the rotating portion. The clockspring is shaped to fit into the space, and is configured to transmit at least an electrical power signal or a data signal from the rotating portion to the fixed portion.
Claims20
An actuator assembly for a device, the actuator assembly comprising:
- a rotating portion;
- a fixed portion configured to interface with the rotating portion, wherein the fixed portion and the rotating portion structurally form a space that is at least partially surrounded by the fixed portion and the rotating portion;
- and
- a clockspring configured to transmit at least an electrical power signal or a data signal from the rotating portion to the fixed portion, wherein the clockspring is sized and shaped to fit into the space.
A method for signal or power transmission associated with an actuator or a revolute joint assembly that comprises a moving portion, a fixed portion, and a clockspring that is disposed between the moving portion and the fixed portion, the method comprising:
- rotating the moving portion from a first to a second degree, wherein rotating the moving portion from the first to the second degree causes the clockspring to transition among continuous positions,
- wherein the moving portion and the fixed portion are continuously electrically connected with each other through the clockspring when the clockspring transitions among the continuous positions.
A first actuator assembly comprising:
- a moving portion;
- a fixed portion configured to interface with the moving portion, wherein the fixed portion and the moving portion structurally form a space that is at least partially surrounded by the fixed portion and the moving portion;
- and
- a clockspring configured to transmit at least a signal between the moving portion and the fixed portion, wherein the clockspring is sized and shaped to fit into the space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.