Electromagnetic gripping device
OwnerSepehr SHEIKHOLESLAMI, Carlo MENONinventors
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Abstract
The present invention will provide a device in which the gripping action is achieved by a compliant membrane manipulated by electromagnetic forces. The gripping force provided by the present invention is best suited for delicate objects, as it gently applies the gripping force necessary for displacement. This is accomplished through a chamber, a membrane, a plunger attached to the membrane, and a solenoid configured to manipulate the plunger, and thus, the membrane.
Claims20
An electromagnetic gripping device, configured for grasping an object, the electromagnetic gripping device comprising:
- at least one conductive wire wound to form a structure with a distal and proximal openings, said structure generates in the space it encloses an electromagnetic force;
- at least one polymer-based deformable membrane;
- wherein said polymer-based deformable membrane is in mechanical communication with a plunger;
- wherein the electromagnetic force generated by the structure induces a movement of the plunger and thereby said polymer-based deformable membrane;
- wherein the shape of said polymer-based deformable membrane changes by the position of the plunger;
- wherein the movement of the structure or the plunger determines the level of compliance of said polymer-based deformable membrane to the object to be grasped and its grasping force.
A method of gripping an object using a gripping device, said gripping device comprising a deformable membrane, a shaft and a conductive wire, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving said gripping device towards said object to be grasped such that said deformable membrane is in direct contact with said object;
- applying an electric current to said wire to generate an electromagnetic field;
- activating or inducing movement of said shaft or said deformable membrane by the electromagnetic field of said wire;
- and
- grasping said object by said deformable membrane;
- wherein the steps may be performed in any order.
A method of gripping an object using an electromagnetic gripping device, the electromagnetic gripping device comprising a polymer-based deformable membrane, a plunger and a conductive coil wound to create a solenoid, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving the electromagnetic gripping device towards said object to be grasped such that said polymer-based deformable membrane is in direct contact with said object;
- exert grasping forces to said object by said polymer-based deformable membrane,
- applying an electric current to said solenoid to generate an electromagnetic field;
- adjusting said electric current to increase or generate an additional grasping force;
- and
- grasping said object by said polymer-based deformable membrane;
- wherein the steps may be performed in any order.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.